AI, other airlines suffered Rupees 127 crores losses due to strikes

New Delhi, Jul 29 : Air India and other airlines have suffered losses upto Rs 127 crores due to strikes over past three years, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Of this, Air India has accounted for losses of Rs 77 crores due to strikes in the past two years, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in a written reply.

He said the Executive Pilots of NACIL (that owns Air India) resorted to stoppage of work for five days from September 26 to 30 because of proposed cut in flying allowances. Two erstwhile unions of Indian Airlines, All India Aircraft Engineers' Association (AIAEA) and Air Corporations Employees' Union (ACEU) went on a flash strike on May 25 and there was simulated strike by Jet Airways pilots by reporting sick from September 8 to 12.

Denying that Air India had any plans to ground 15 per cent fleet in case of future strikes, Mr Patel said the NACIL Board has constituted a HR sub Committee in order to consider the various issues and grievances of its employees.

--UNI