HC tells AI, pilots to shed egos, end dispute

The Delhi High Court on Monday urged the Air India management and striking Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) to shed their egos and come together to end the two-month-old pilots' strike, which has caused immense hardship to passengers.

The Delhi High Court on Monday urged the Air India management and striking Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) to shed their egos and come together to end the two-month-old pilots' strike, which has caused immense hardship to passengers.

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"The court is for amicable settlement of the dispute out-of-the-court and towards this end, the airline management is to adopt a parental attitude. Respective sides are to shed their egos,” Justice Reva Khetrapal said.

The judge asked the lawyer appearing for the national carrier, as well as the pilots' guild to inform it by Tuesday if there was any possibility to settle the dispute. “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.

The court was hearing an application filed by the IPG seeking a direction to the management to reinstate the sacked pilots and also revoke de-recognition of their union.

The IPG said pilots were ready to resume their duties but the management has created a “hostile” situation forcing them to go on a hunger strike.

On a plea by the management, the court had on May 23 issued contempt notices against 67 striking pilots, including top office-bearers of IPG.