Air India pilots strike enters fourth day

New Delhi/Mumbai, Sept 29 (ANI): Air India on Tuesday cancelled over 20 flights, including 15 from the national capital, as a stand-off between executive pilots and the management entered a fourth day.

The airline also suspended bookings for the next fifteen days.

According to an airlines official, about ten domestic flights to Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai and other west-bound destinations were cancelled.

"Besides, five flights to Kabul, Kathmandu, New York, London and Chicago were also cancelled. The flights have been cancelled after the pilots of these flights reported sick," an airlines official added.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Secretary Madhavan Nambiar has ruled out speculation of a Air India shut down.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has advised the airline management to enter into a comprehensive dialogue with all employees.

Talks between the management and the striking pilots collapsed yesterday after both sides refused to budge on their stated positions.

Striking pilots have refused to get back to work until the controversial pay-cut order is completely withdrawn.

The Air India management on Sunday also agreed to set up a committee to look into the Productivity-Linked Incentives (PLI) modalities.

Striking pilots in Chennai and Kolkata have also agreed to the committee set up by the management. (ANI)