Air India flights hit as pilots take mass sick leave
14 Jan 2012
Cash-strapped national carrier Air India seems to be headed for another showdown with its pilots over alleged non-payment of their salaries and allowances.
A section of the airline's pilots called in sick this morning, affecting flight operations in Delhi and Mumbai. Operations in Kolkata and Chennai are said to be normal so far.
At least 14 Air India flights scheduled to depart from Delhi have been cancelled and two have been delayed so far after 18 pilots called in sick in Delhi.
Another eight eight flights to Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Leh, Bangalore, Bagdogra, Amritsar and Kolkata were cancelled after 12 pilots reported sick in Mumbai this morning.
"We have clubbed the early morning flight to the above destinations with the flights operating later in the day," an Air India official said.
Protesting non-payment of their salary and allowances, a section of Air India pilots had on Friday decided to go on a "no-pay-no-work" agitation from midnight Friday.
