Air India extends closure of domestic counter till Tuesday

OUR BUREAU

Mumbai, April 30:  

Air India has decided not to take any fresh domestic bookings till May 3. Initially, the decision was not to take any fresh bookings till today.

The national carrier's operations from Mumbai were also severely affected. The airline operated only five flights from Mumbai on Saturday. Besides with pilots continuing their strike, the airline's operations were also affected as the runway was closed for repairs.

According to an Air India spokesperson, no flights took off till 9 a.m. Five flights took off between 9 a.m. and 11.30 a.m., after which the main runway was closed.

Mumbai International Airport's main runway has been undergoing repair work and last Saturday, too, the runway was closed.

Air India, which is headquartered in Mumbai, has seen a significant cut in its flights from the city since Friday, it operating only 12 flights from the city against the usual 40.

Meanwhile, the Air Corporations Employees Union, one of the largest unions of Air India, has flayed the striking pilots. The union said the pilots are risking employment of 30,000 staff in the name of pay parity.

Around 850 pilots of the erstwhile Indian Airlines are on strike since Wednesday, demanding pay parity with their Air India counterparts.

However, the pilots are now also demanding a CBI probe into the airline's Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Arvind Jhadav, actions. The pilots allege mismanagement that has led to losses of over Rs 16,000 crore and hold Mr Jhadav responsible for what they call the “financial mess”.

(This article was published in the Business Line print edition dated May 1, 2011)

Courtesy:theindianbusinessline.com