New Delhi:
On day nine of the Air India pilots' strike; at least nine international flights have been cancelled. Many passengers across airports saying, other airlines have their seats full making travel very difficult. "I have been coming to the airport since three days as I was scheduled to fly out then. But there has been no arrangements made for people like me, and I am still here," said Mohammed Allauddin at the Mumbai airport.
On Tuesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh appealed to the Air India pilots to end their strike, promising that the airline's management "will in no way be vindictive towards any employee." The caveat, he said, is that "passengers are not inconvenienced."
Mr Singh spoke in Parliament where he disclosed that the strike, which has entered the ninth day today, has cost the near-bankrupt airline Rs 150 crores.
Nearly 71 pilots have been fired so far. Mr Singh has said they cannot be reinstated. The strike, in the middle of a busy summer season, has seen at least 10 flights cancelled every day. It also comes weeks after the government cleared a bailout of 30,000 crores for the airline. "This bailout is not without strings. They have to meet strict standards...we can't keep pouring (in) public money. This is the last chance for them to perform," the minister said.
Mr Singh was also grilled in Parliament by the Opposition members about his statement on an NDTV program on Monday night, where he had said there was no need for a national carrier.
Many MPs also said that there needs to a detailed inquest- some suggested a CBI inquiry into irregularities and steps to end the strike by Air India pilots.
On Tuesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh appealed to the Air India pilots to end their strike, promising that the airline's management "will in no way be vindictive towards any employee." The caveat, he said, is that "passengers are not inconvenienced."
Mr Singh spoke in Parliament where he disclosed that the strike, which has entered the ninth day today, has cost the near-bankrupt airline Rs 150 crores.
Nearly 71 pilots have been fired so far. Mr Singh has said they cannot be reinstated. The strike, in the middle of a busy summer season, has seen at least 10 flights cancelled every day. It also comes weeks after the government cleared a bailout of 30,000 crores for the airline. "This bailout is not without strings. They have to meet strict standards...we can't keep pouring (in) public money. This is the last chance for them to perform," the minister said.
Mr Singh was also grilled in Parliament by the Opposition members about his statement on an NDTV program on Monday night, where he had said there was no need for a national carrier.
Many MPs also said that there needs to a detailed inquest- some suggested a CBI inquiry into irregularities and steps to end the strike by Air India pilots.
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