PM takes stock of AI pilots' agitation situation

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today took stock of the situation arising out of the ongoing agitation by executive pilots of Air India.

He was briefed by civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambiar and Air India chairman and managing director Arvind Jadhav where cabinet secretary KM Chandrashekhar was also
present.

During the meeting, Nambiar and Jadhav apprised the prime minister of the steps being taken by the national carrier to resolve the crisis, which has led to cancellation of around 150 flights in the last four days.

The prime minister was also briefed on the measures being taken to ease the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the agitation, official sources said.

The meeting took place amid reports that civil aviation minister Praful Patel spoke to the prime minister on the crisis.

Around 180 pilots have been reporting "sick" and abstaining from work for four days, protesting against the cut in their productivity-linked incentive (PLI) by up to 50%.