Praful Patel urges AI pilots to return to work

New Delhi, Sep 29: With the Air India pilots refuse to call off their agitation leading to dozens of flights being cancelled, Aviation Minister Praful Patel urged the pilots to get back to work after assuring them that any wage cuts would be implemented only after discussing with them.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday,Sep 29, Patel said, "No formal decision regarding cut in productivity linked incentives (PLI) or others has been taken. I urge all employees and pilots to report to work. I see no reason. The government is committed to seeing Air India flying high."

The minister also said that the airline management has agreed to consult employees before taking any decision on wage cuts.

Pointing out that the Air India staff have been paid productivity linked incentives (PLI) till the month of June and that almost all of them also draw respectable salaries, Patel wondered why they were feeling aggrieved.

The Air India pilots started their agitation on Saturday, Sep 26 protesting against the 50 pc cut in incentives.

With the protest entering fourth on Tuesday, Sep 29, the airline authorities decided to cancel almost all morning flights and suspended booking for domestic flights.

Passengers who have already booked tickets with Air India can get the status of their flight on the helpline number: 1407.

OneIndia News