Govt unveils new plans for AI's international operations

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today unveiled new plans for international operations of strike-hit Air India including starting of two new flights to Kuala Lumpur and London and resuming of operations to Hong Kong, Osaka and Seoul by August 1.

The Minister also announced that three Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will be inducted this month.

"For the initial six to eight weeks, the first aircraft will be used on domestic routes to enable trainees to practice landings and take-offs and the first long-haul flight of the aircraft will be in August between Mumbai and London and Australia operations will commence in August-September." Singh told a press conference here.

On the strike by a section of Air India pilots, he said as far as the government was concerned, it was over.

"If Air India pilots want to come back, they were welcome but there should be no pre-condition," Singh said.

He said the striking pilots have opposed the Dharmadhikari report on turnaround plans for the state-owned airline and if they do not accept it, "then there is no point in their coming back".

Asked about the fate of sacked pilots, he said that they have been "terminated" and they will have to apply afresh, if they want to come back.