Pilots stir: Air India to operate only 40 flights

New Delhi, May 1: As the strike by Air India pilots entered the fifth day today, the national carrier reduced its operation to 40 flights across its network against the regular 165.

"We are continuing with our contingency plans and will be operating 40 domestic flights across the country today. we will be utilising Boeing 737 aircraft of our subsidiary Air India Express on some of the sectors," an Air India spokesperson said.

The national carrier will be operating 14 flights, including one each to Kathmandu and Dubai, today out of its scheduled 52 flights from the national capital.

The stand-off between striking pilots and Air India management continues with both sides refusing to budge from their respective stand.

Agitating pilots say they have not received any formal invitation for talks from the Air India management, which on the other hand is waiting for the Delhi High Court''s decision on the contempt of court proceedings against the Indian Commercial Pilot Association leaders.

The ICPA is spearheading the agitation in which over 800 pilots and executive pilots are participating.