Air India issues statement denying pilots' strike

Hours after more than 10 international flights were cancelled by Air India owing to a strike called by the pilots alleging discrimination, the company management issued a press statement denying any agitation by its pilots.

“A section of the press has reported that Air India pilots have given a call for strike while some pilots have reported sick, and that flights have been cancelled due to reasons of pilot’s agitation. It is also rumoured that a number of pilots have written to the Air India management asking for NOC to leave their jobs. Air India would like to clarify that there is no strike call given by any section of employee of Air India and there is no agitation by the pilots of the airlines,” Air India’s statement read.

[caption id=“attachment_120729” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Air India issued a press statement saying that none of their employees are on strike. PTI”] [/caption]

Over 100 pilots had threatened to go on a strike on Monday alleging discrimination, and had sent a letter to the Air India management and the aviation minister, Vayalar Ravi, demanding that No Objection Certificates (NOC) be issued so that the aggrieved may seek employment elsewhere.

Following the call for agitation nearly 23 pilots had reported sick and refused to show up for work, this morning, leading to over 10 international flights being cancelled.

The management clarified that the cancellation of flights today occurred due to a shortage in cabin crew not because of the striking pilots, and that the issue has been resolved.

Agencies