Pilot hire on AI radar

New Delhi: The management of Air India is exploring the possibility of hiring new pilots after several rounds of negotiations failed to break the deadlock with the striking pilots. The 21-day strike has led to a loss of over Rs 300 crore.
Air India’s board met today to discuss ways to deal with the impasse. With pilots refusing to end their agitation, the board plans to go for fresh hiring.
“The board discussed the present situation and decided that hiring is the only option left. Back-channel talks with pilots are on but nothing has come out of it as of now,” said a senior AI official.
Civil aviation minister Ajit Singh had asked the pilots to join work immediately, assuring them that they will not be victimised. However, protesting pilots insist that the airline should reinstate their sacked colleagues first.
29/05/12 The Telegraph