HC asks Air India, pilots to settle dispute out of court

The Delhi High Court has suggested an amicable, out-of-court settlement of the two-month-old strike of the Air India pilots, saying the airline should adopt a ''parental attitude'' towards the striking pilots.

The Air India pilots organised under the Indian Pilots Guild, which now stands derecognised by the airline management, has been on strike for nearly two months over their demands relating to career progression.

The court made the suggestion while hearing an application filed by the Indian Pilots Guild (IGP), seeking a direction to the Air India management to reinstate the sacked pilots and also revoke the order derecognising the union.

Justice Reva Khetrapal asked counsel Sanjiv Sahay, who is appearing for the pilots, and the counsel for the national carrier to inform by tomorrow if there was any possibility to settle the dispute out of court.

''You counsel can sit together, then talk to your clients and inform the court tomorrow if there is any possibility of settlement,'' Justice Khetrapal said.

Air India pilots association while filing the application said they were ready to resume duties but for the ''hostile'' situation created by the management.

''We would like to see the matter settled. We want to see Air India prosper as the best airline in the world and the airline should adopt a parental attitude...,'' the court said.