Air India pilots threaten to go on strike

The ailing national carrier posted Rs 49.48 crore worth of operating surplus in December and Rs 21.66 crore in November.

Air India employees used to get their salary on the last day of the month but after facing financial crisis the airline management decided to disburse the salary on the 7th of every month. The airline''s salary bill is to the tune of Rs 31,000 crore per annum.

ICPA, which had written to Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi last month saying the airline management was "not serious" about addressing their concerns and trying to precipitate industrial action, had sought "urgent intervention" by Ravi at the earliest.

ICPA, in its communication to Ravi, said if there was no response from the government, it could go ahead with serving notices for non-cooperation and other industrial action soon which may affect flights.

Soon after taking over charge last month, Ravi had sought the support of all employees of Air India to restore its lost glory and said the staff and the management should work in coordination to achieve this.