No Retrenchment of staff: Patel

Mumbai, July 30 (UNI) Stating that no employee would lose his job in the wake of the merger of the domestic carrier Indian with the national carrier, Air India, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today said the decision to merge the two airlines into a single entity was driven by fierce market competition.

''The aviation industry world over is growing and we have to move along with this growth. There are new trends, new consolidations and strategic alliance taking place, which will have to be looked into with meaningful definition,'' Patel said.

He was addressing a gathering of the employees from the two airlines on the occasion of the arrival of B 777-200 (Long Range) aircraft in the city.

The aircraft with eight first class, 35 executive and 195 economy class seats will be used for the non-stop flight between Mumbai and New York, which will be flagged off on Wednesday.

Allaying apprehensions as expressed by certain unions that there could be a manpower cut after the merger formalities are completed, Mr Patel said, ''The decision has been taken for their betterment and for the betterment of the two airlines.'' ''The employees of the two carriers don't need to be worried about their future. Their pay disparity issue will also be taken care by the government in due time,'' Mr Patel said.

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