Pilots strike hurting Air India's credibility, says Ajit Singh

New Delhi, May 9 (ANI): As the strike called by protesting Air India pilots entered its second day on Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh termed their action illegal and unjustified, saying they have hurt the credibility of the national carrier.

"See, the whole point is I am not saying their grievances have no merit, but all these things should have been discussed. The action they have taken is not justified. They have inconvenienced passengers, they have hurt the credibility of Air India. And after all they are employed by Air India," said Singh.

He said the government is trying to bail out the national carrier, and that pilots being the most powerful employee in any airline should behave more responsibly.

"Pilots are the most powerful, highest paid employees in any airlines, but with that power they should have responsibility also. This is not only their job; the jobs of thousands of people in Air India depend on them. Air India is already almost at the verge of bankruptcy, the government is trying to bail it out, giving lot of money," said Singh.

"But part of that bailout is with strains that they have to perform. And for last three months Air India was doing better. Now, with this action they should see what the result would be," he added.

When asked whether the cancellation of international flights was hurting the credibility of Air India, which is a national carrier, Singh said: "Let's not say it is a strike, it is an illegal strike because every employee under our rules is allowed to go on a strike. They have grievances, they give notice, (but) first they should talk."

"Also, I am sure the pilots know that the Dharmadhikari report has looked at all these problems. Indian Airlines pilots, Air India pilots, the differences, progression and before implementing them we will discuss with them because without their cooperation it won't work," he added.

Former Supreme Court judge Justice D. M. Dharmadhikari, who headed a four-member committee on integration of thousands of employees after the merger of two State-owned carriers - Air India and Indian Airlines - submitted his report to the Civil Aviation Minister earlier this year.

The report takes into account the views of the pilots, cabin crew and engineers on integration of about 29,000 employees of Indian Airlines and Air India, which were merged five years ago into unified Air India.

Singh further said the pilots should have come to the negotiating table and discussed the matter with him rather than taking this odd step of going on a strike.

"So, what was the big hurry, even if they say that we don't send the Indian Airlines pilots for training that is not acceptable anyway whatever happens? Their other demands, instead of ten years and six years, they should get promotion. In fact they get promotion much earlier than ten years," said Singh.

"So, that problem isn't there really. They could have waited until all these things are discussed or even now of they wanted they discussed it with Air India management, they should have to me. I am open to discussion," he added.

When asked to comment that by when will the Air India be back on track, Singh said: "Let's hope we see it back, but to get back on their feet it will take a long time and a lot of patience by the employees."

Passengers are the worst hit by the pilots' agitation. They allege that they are not being informed about the cancellation of their respective flights in advance.

Three international flights were today cancelled from New Delhi and Mumbai following the strike by Air India pilots.

Around 160 Air India pilots owing allegiance to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) had reported sick yesterday, resulting in the cancellation of at least 13 international flights.

Air India had on Tuesday sacked ten agitating pilots, de-recognised their union and sealed its offices, as around 160 of them failed to join duty.

A concerned Air India management had earlier met the pilots in New Delhi in a bid to defuse the crisis. (ANI)