AI cancels over 20 flights as agitation by pilots continues

New Delhi, Sept 29 (PTI) With the agitation by Air
India Executive pilots entering the fourth day Tuesday, the
Airlines cancelled over 20 flights, including 15 from Indian
national capital New Delhi, and suspended bookings for the
next 15 days.

Talks between the management and the striking
Executive pilots Monday failed to break the deadlock over
the issue of cut in perks.

"About 10 domestic flights to Bangalore, Kolkata,
Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai and other west-bound destinations
were cancelled besides five flights to Kabul, Kathmandu, New
York, London and Chicago.The flights have been cancelled after
the pilots of these flights reported sick," an airlines
official said.

The agitation by the pilots, who are protesting
against the cut in the Productivity Linked Incentives (PIL),
is likely to intensify as the executive pilots working with
the airlines before its merger also joined them. This led to
cancellation of AI coded early morning international flights
from Delhi and commercial capital Mumbai.

The senior pilots of the cash-strapped national
carrier have been reporting "sick " for their duties, since
Saturday, in protest against the management's decision to cut
their perks and also full payment of the due allowances.

As per its contingency plan, Air India, which
generally operates about 55 daily flights from the national
capital, Tuesday decided to operate only 16 flights till
afternoon. The contingency plan has been devised keeping in
view the passenger load and the availablility of the pilots,
the official said. MORE PTI SMJ
ANU


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