New Delhi, June 27 (IBNS): The Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), that represents the striking Air India pilots, has said it is ready to talk to Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and management of the national carrier to discuss the ongoing trouble and find a solution to it.
The IPG has said it is ready to meet Singh and the management of Air India at any place and time over the issue.
“For the sake of the passengers, we are willing to walk the extra mile to find a resolution to this dispute,” IPG said in a release.
“We hope that the ministry and the Air India management feels the same way," it said.
Pertinently, the strike called by pilots belonging to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) entered its 52nd day on Wednesday.
However, the Civil Aviation Ministry and Air India management have refused to talk to the pilots until they withdraw the strike.
Singh on Monday said the strike must be withdrawn 'unconditionally'.
"We want them to come back. All they have to do is to come back unconditionally to work. They never gave a notice. The high court has said it is illegal. I don't even know what the issues are. They don't know themselves. So, what can we do?" Singh told reporters on Monday.
A total of 101 pilots belonging to the IPG were sacked by the management of Air India for taking part in the strike which was dubbed illegal.
The turbulence in the Air India came amid heavy financial losses to the national carrier.
Cash starved Air India lost Rs 1,492 crore in 2011-12 on international flights as it used large aircraft even amid a dip in ticket sales, a government committee set up to suggest ways of turning around the fortunes of the loss making routes has found.
The airline, that operates 42 international routes using widebody (twin aisle) aircraft, made three-fourth of the entire loss on just 13 routes, the top seven of which are said to be the flag carrier’s most prestigious flights to North America and Europe.
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