Bad news for passengers who were to travel today by Air India, as the strike by the national carrier's ground staff enters the second day.As many as 76 flights in both the domestic and international sectors have been cancelled. These include 24 flights from Delhi, 37 from Mumbai, six from Kolkata, seven from Chennai and two from Bangalore. (Read: Air India cancels 76 flights)
The Air India management has taken a tough stand against the strike, saying it could sack the employees if they don't return to work today.
Air India chief Arvind Jadhav threatened to take stern action against the striking employees on Tuesday evening. "We may terminate staff who started the strike," he told NDTV.
Meanwhile, sources have told NDTV that the Civil Aviation Ministry will fully back the Air India management on tough action against striking employees.
Government may dismiss leaders who called for the strike, sources tell NDTV. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel will brief Cabinet today on the situation.
Sources also told NDTV that government is set to withdraw order on senior bureaucrats to use only Air India.
Thousands of passengers have been stranded as a result of the flight cancellations yesterday and today, as this is the peak summer travel season and there are some destinations to which only Air India flies.
The strike will also cause losses to the carrier, as they will have to refund or rebook passengers of its cancelled flights. Many were not aware of the strike and flight cancellations and landed up at the airport in the morning, only to get a rude shock.
The Air India management has threatened stern action including termination of service and, as NDTV reported earlier, it apparently has the backing of the Civil Aviation Ministry.
Twenty thousand employees of Air India including engineers and ground staff are on a flash strike since yesterday protesting against the management's gag order. One round of talks with the management failed yesterday another one is scheduled today.
Air India has made arrangements with Jet Airways and Kingfisher to carry passengers while the strike continues but if it continues for too long over 100 flights could be affected out of 250 flights. (Read: 76 Flights cancelled on Wednesday | List of Air India flights cancelled on Tuesday)
Days after the Mangalore tragedy in which 158 people died in an Air India plane crash, the airline is in trouble again. Thousands of Air India employees went on a flash strike on Tuesday - all because of a gag order from the management. (Read: Air India employees on strike, flights hit)
The striking employees claim the problem began after the Mangalore crash when the Air India management issued a notice to its engineers for speaking to the media. (Read: Story behind Air India's strike, as told by engineers)
Air India's alleged failure is that it didn't use its engineers to certify a flight while ferrying passengers to Mangalore after the tragedy.
"We didn't want to go on a strike but we have all the right to strike. We won't go back till they don't withdraw the show cause notice given to us," said Dinkar Shetty, President Air Corporation Employees Union.
"What about passengers? I have got an urgent appointment in Kolkata. I have urgent legal material to take there. Now that will not happen and I'll lose huge business," said Mr Rai, a stranded passenger.
"I am here for my wedding. But now I expect it to be delayed, just because of this," said Shikha Patel, a stranded and dejected bride.
The Air India management is apologetic, but the talks with the unions have been unsuccessful so far. The airline insists they won't cave in to blackmail saying that the show-cause notice was issued because the employees violated internal policy. (Read: Air India statement)
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