Mumbai: In the midst of the ongoing
agitation by Air India executive pilots, the union of Jet
Airways pilots on Tuesday said there is a possibility of industry
cockpit crew forging a common front.
"We don't rule out the possibility of industry pilots
forming a joint body," Girish Kaushik, President of Jet
Airways' pilots body, National Aviator's Guild said.
Kaushik had earlier this month led the Jet Airways'
pilots struggle against the air-carrier's management for
suspending two senior pilots.
He is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Air India
executive pilots to decide on sending their representative for
the proposed talk with the management.
Meanwhile, a striking executive pilot said, "we are
holding a meeting to assess the situation and may send our
representatives for the talks if it takes place today".
The national carrier today cancelled 37 of the 177
domestic flights and nine of the 21 international flights as
more executive pilots reported "sick".
Air India has around 118 executive pilots.
Meanwhile, sources in the erstwhile Indian Airlines
non-executive pilots body, Indian Commercial Pilots
Association (ICPA) said, they are also mulling joining the
ongoing agitation by the Air India executive pilots.
"We are waiting for the management to pay our salary,
allowance and other dues of the last three months. If they are
not paid we may also exercise the option of joining the
strike," an ICPA member said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 14:49