After a long wait and several obstacles, the Air India Pilots finally ended their 59 day strike on July 4, 2012. The striking pilots a day before had assured that they would end their strike and join active duty within 48 hours.
On July 3, 2012, the Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said, “The high court direction on the strike has endorsed the views of the government that the pilots should call off the strike unconditionally and report back to duty. The government is committed to the welfare of the employees of Air India, including pilots.” The Air India pilots went on strike from May 8, 2012 after the members of the Indian Pilot’s Guild went on a mass sick leave.
The pilots protested the move to provide Boeing 787 Dreamliner training to their colleagues and pilots from the Airlines. The strike had affected the routine of the flight schedules and led to financial crisis.
The airline had to even withdraw from the key routes as well as the International operations. The strike caused an estimated revenue loss of ₹620 crores. On Tuesday the Delhi High Court had ordered the pilots to join back work immediately and also asked the airline management to look in to their demands and grievances.
