Section of AI pilots on strike, flight operations unaffected

New Delhi, Sep 26 (PTI) A section of Air India pilots
Saturday went on a strike to protest reduction in their
productivity-linked incentives but operations of the national
carrier were unaffected as only some flights were cancelled.

Besides a Kabul-bound international flight from Indian
national capital New Delhi two domestic flights to India's
commercial capital Mumbai and northern city of Lucknow were
cancelled.

In southern city of Chennai, operations were normal
while in eastern city of Kolkata a flight to Aizwal was
cancelled as the pilot reported sick. The remaining 13 AI
flights from Kolkata, however, took off as per schedule.

Air India spokesperson Jitendra Bhargava said, "The
agitation had no impact on the operations of the airline other
than Delhi where pilots have reported sick. Only three flights
have been cancelled whereas more than 40 have taken off since
morning."

A section of the Executive pilots are protesting the
upto 50 per cent reduction in their productivity-linked
incentives (PLIs).

Representative of the agitating Executive pilots,
Captain R K Bhalla said, "All our pilots are not going to work
and we have support of the 700 line pilots and they may also
join us soon."

"The impact of our strike will start showing up in a
short while," he added. MORE PTI