AI pilots seek minister''s intervention in resolving problems

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) A section of Air India pilotstoday sought intervention of Civil Aviation Minister VayalarRavi, saying the airline management was "not serious" aboutaddressing their concerns and trying to precipitate industrialaction.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), which wascalled for a meeting with Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav inMumbai today, is understood to have shot off a letter to theMinister after the meeting failed to take place and sought hisintervention in the matter.

While the ICPA represents pilots of the erstwhile IndianAirlines, the Indian Pilots Guild represents the cockpit crewof the erstwhile Air India.

Alleging that the CMD did not meet their representativesas scheduled "despite being present in his office", ICPAsources said it showed Jadhav was "not serious aboutaddressing our concerns and in fact precipitating industrialaction against the best interest of the airline".

The ICPA wanted "urgent intervention" by Ravi at theearliest so as to avoid any "unwarranted" industrial action.

The sources said if there was no response from thegovernment, the ICPA could go ahead with serving notices fornon-cooperation and other industrial action soon which mayaffect flights.

Soon after taking over charge last week, the new CivilAviation Minister had sought the support of all employees ofailing Air India to restore its lost glory and said the staffand the management should work in coordination to achievethis.