Erstwhile IA pilots threaten stir

A letter to this effect has been despatched by the ICPA to the Civil Aviation Ministry.

ICPA central president Capt A S Bhinder in the letter stated that Indian Airlines pilots who were absorbed into Air India following the merger of the two national airlines, this year, twice withdrew its strike notice “following assurances from the ministry.”

The demands of the absorbed Indian Airlines pilots primarily centres around wage parity and the under-utilisation of pilots. The ministry following the threat early this year had constituted a committee headed by Justice (Retd) D M Dharmadhikari to look into the anomalies that had cropped up following the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines.

The committee was given six months time to come up with an appropriate solution. However, it has failed to do so.

According to Bhinder, while the committee is yet to come out with its findings and solutions, the ministry's assurance for interim payment of fixed monthly flying allowance till complete parity is achieved has also not taken place.