New Delhi/Mumbai, May 8
Simmering tension between pilots of the pre-merger Air India and Indian Airlines reached a flashpoint with those belonging to the former outfit reporting sick today. Consequently, Air India was forced to cancel four international flights.

With more than 150 pilots affiliated to the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) reporting sick, the airline management sent medical teams to the residences of the pilots and derecognised the union.

According to an airline spokesman, offices of the IPG in Mumbai and Delhi have been sealed. The 787-Dreamliner squabble triggered by erstwhile Air India pilots on Tuesday saw a tough-talking Air India management firing 10 pilots.

More than 150 pilots owing allegiance to the IPG called in sick, affecting scores of international flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at various airports across the country.

Meanwhile, at the Air India colony near the Mumbai airport, home to many of the pilots, medical teams which attempted to reach the homes of the strikers were chased away. Airline sources said the medical personnel were not allowed entry into the homes of many pilots and some of them allegedly threatened to set their pet dogs on the visitors.

Pilots affiliated to the IPG had earlier protested the decision by the airline management to train their colleagues from the erstwhile Indian Airlines on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which is being introduced by the airline. IPG office-bearers say they were prevented by the former Indian Airlines pilots from being trained on the Airbus A320.

However, according to Air India officials, the airline has no option but to train the former Indian Airlines pilots on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as they have obtained a court order to that effect. The former Indian Airlines pilots, under the banner of the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, had approached the courts saying they wanted equal representation in being trained for the new model of aircraft.

Analysts say there is tough competition among pilots to be trained in using the new aircraft as it enhances their job prospects in the market.

The move by pilots of the beleaguered national carrier, which is managing to remain afloat thanks to government resuscitation at the taxpayer’s expense, saw widespread condemnation from all sides.

Completely supportive of the Air India management’s strict action, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh called the IPG strike “illegal” and “inappropriate”. “A strike needs a notice in advance. Air India pilots have called in sick. Such kind of a strike is illegal,” he said.

“I don’t understand the rationale? behind the move. How can they go on strike when Air India is on the path to recovery and is still not out of the woods? As it is, a lot of people are against bailing out Air India. Now they (the pilots) are creating a situation where it will be difficult for us to defend them,” Singh said.