29 April,2011 08:05 AM IST | | Surender Sharma
AI's operations affected severely, HC warns ICPA of property attachment
With Air India pilots showing no signs of ending their strike, the domestic air fares on all major sectors have almost doubled on most of the private airlines. The Delhi-Mumbai sector spot fare which generally remains between Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 has shot up to Rs 8,000-9,000.
Price rise: The Delhi-Mumbai sector spot fare which generally
remains between Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 has shot up to
Rs 8,000-9,000. representative pic
With other unions like ATC Guild, Indian Pilots' Guild and Jet Airways Pilot Union lending support to Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA), there seems to be no end to the deadlock between the management and the striking pilots, which may increase the fares further.u00a0
"During the similar crisis in October-November last year, the airlines had given promised to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation that they won't increase the fares beyond certain limit. If they are doing so, they can be punished," said, President, Air Passenger Association of India, Sudhakar Reddy.
HC warning
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has warned the ICPA of property attachment if pilots don't end their stir. "There is no exception. If you do not comply, I have no choice but to pass an order, including attachment of (ICPA) property", said Justice Geeta Mittal on the refusal by the pilots to call off their strike. Justice Mittal also issued notices to striking pilots on an urgent plea by Air India authorities, seeking launch of contempt proceedings against them for not resuming work as per the Wednesday's court order.
40 flights cancelled
The airline cancelled nearly 40 flights from Delhi on Thursday which including five international flights. The passengers had a harrowing time. However, a lot of them did not turn up airport and cancelled their tickets.u00a0 "I and my family had to attend a marriage in Srinagar on Thursday and we had booked our tickets about a month ago, but now our plans are ruined as Air India has cancelled the flight and they didn't have the courtesy to even inform us beforehand," said Mohammed Sahil Sheikh, a businessman.
Bookings suspended
The Air India management has decided to suspend booking of tickets for the next five days in order to tackle the situation. About 200 executive pilots have also joined the strike called by ICPA.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi met the Prime Minister and apprised him of the situation and also briefed the Cabinet later.u00a0 "There will be no talks with pilots until they withdraw their strike," he said.
