It's the seventh day of the Air India pilots' strike and neither the pilots nor the government is blinking yet. That means that passengers remain stranded at airports across the country. Since last night, 13 international flights have been cancelled; 22 were cancelled yesterday. Here are 10 big developments so far:
1) Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today made clear that while he was open to talks with "any individual" he would not talk to the striking pilots as a union; he pointed out that the Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG) which is spearheading the strike, has been de-recognised. He has also reiterated that the pilots have to call off their strike before any talks can be held. He said the four issues that the pilots have raised no longer exist.
2) There were reports that the government had sent feelers to pilots to discuss a solution to the impasse. The pilots did go to the Aviation Minister's residence, but left soon after without being able to meet Mr Singh. As they left, they said they hoped to meet him later in the day.
3) While the Air India management says 250 pilots are on strike, the pilots' guild maintains that the number is above 400. The latest report issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) says that 341 Air India pilots are currently reporting "sick".
4) The strike has dashed the plans of many travellers. Some angry passengers tried to block the road outside the Mumbai airport last night and early this morning, venting out their frustration with the lack of information given to them by Air India officials.
5) There are now reports that Air India is considering cancelling international flights till the crisis is over. The airline has already extended the bar on bookings for its West-bound flights till Thursday.
6) The Air India management has sacked a total of 76 pilots over the last six days for not reporting to work. It has also written to the DGCA asking it to cancel the licenses of 11 office bearers of the IPG whose services have been terminated.
7) Showcause notices have been issued to these office bearers. They have been given a week to reply to the notice.
8) Air India's executive pilots, who are also part of the management, have come out in support of the striking Air India pilots. They have written a letter to the Prime Minister. Jet Airways pilots too have backed the protesting Air India pilots.
9) Sources say that the pilots are hoping that the government will meet three of their demands - take back the sacked pilots, re-recognise IPG and give them some sort of assurance that their earlier demands of a career progression would be taken care of.
10) The Air India management had moved the Supreme Court with a contempt of court plea against the on-strike pilots. Last week, the Delhi High Court declared the strike illegal. The management is of the view that the matter is now between the court and pilots. But despite all this, the pilots remain defiant.