Global pilots' body backs striking Air India pilots, seeks DGCA intervention to end deadlock

MUMBAI: The global pilots' body has extended its support to the agitating pilots of national carrier Air India and requested the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to intervene in the matter in order to end the strike that entered the 52nd day today.

In a letter to the DGCA, EK Bharat Bhushan, International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Association (IFALPA), said, “It is our view that DGCA, as the responsible regulator, is in a unique position and can make a very positive contribution towards ending this dispute.”

The IFALPA President, Capt Don Wykoff, opined, “We would ask you to use your good offices to bring both sides back to the negotiating table so that the differing views can be resolved. Whilst it is not our role to sit in judgement as to the rights and wrongs of the dispute that seem centred on issues arising from the Air India and Indian Airlines merger, we feel a duty to make every effort to find a solution which is both fair and acceptable to both sides.”