The Hindu : Pilots' stir may be declared illegal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 29, 2003

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Pilots' stir may be declared illegal

By Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI APRIL 28. The Government today toughened its stand against the agitating Air-India pilots by moving to get their strike declared "illegal". With a majority of the AI pilots refusing to fly due to the SARS scare for the past three days, the airlines' passengers have been badly affected.

While the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Shahnawaz Hussain, today described the decision of the members of the Indian Pilots' Guild to go on strike as "illogical and irresponsible", AI announced a contingency plan to put an end to the uncertain situation. All flights to Europe and the U.S. would be operational and AI passengers can also be transferred to flights to destinations served by Indian Airlines. Cancellations and rescheduling have been done on the Gulf and South East Asian sectors. Extending full support to AI to restore normality in its flight schedule and tackle the pilots' stir, the Minister said the international carrier had suffered a loss of Rs. 10 crores to Rs. 15 crores due to the agitation.

Mr. Hussain said the pilots went on strike without giving notice causing untold misery and hardship to the passengers. "Out of the 20 per cent share of international traffic, AI has lost just five per cent due to the agitation. In the entire last week, AI cancelled 37 flights but operations to Europe and the U.S. have remained normal. Our top priority is to see that passengers are not inconvenienced. If IPG members start demanding Rs. 75,000 for training for Category III system for safe landing in foggy weather, it is unfair and illogical," he said.

Even organisations such as the WHO, IATA and the Directorate-General of Health Services had not issued any advisories stipulating not to operate flights to SARS-affected Singapore and Hong Kong.

Earlier, the Minister told the Lok Sabha during zero hour that the Government had initiated a process in consultation with the Labour Ministry to get the strike declared illegal and take necessary action against the IPG members. Mr. Hussain found all-round support for the Government's stand with some MPs demanding action against the striking pilots.

He said AI was poised to make an impressive profit of Rs. 300 crores to Rs. 400 crores this year against Rs. 15 crores last year but the war in Iraq and the rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel prices would bring it down to about Rs. 100 crores.

"The action of the pilots who flew aircraft to Europe and the U.S. and refused to operate return flights has tarnished the country's image. They have adopted a rigid attitude. We are ready to talk and redress their grievances but not in this uncooperative manner where passengers are made to suffer," he said. All necessary precautions such as fumigation, anti-viral spray and other checks were being carried out on AI and IA aircraft operating on international sectors.

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