Three striking AI pilots appear before DGCA

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had asked these pilots, who are senior members of the de-recognised Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) that is leading the pilots' strike, to appear before it and explain why their flying licences should not be cancelled for not joining duty.

They were also asked to explain why they had not replied to the show-cause notices issued to them on May 12.

The pilots "explained their position" on the show-cause notices when the appeared before DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan, the sources said without elaborating.

Similar notices were issued to seven other sacked pilots after Air India wrote to DGCA to seek an explanation from them as to why their licences should not be cancelled for not reporting to work. These seven pilots had submitted their replies to the notice last week.

After they started reporting sick from May seven as part of their agitation on career progression issues, the IPG was de-recognised and the services of 101 pilots were terminated.

With Air India pilots striking over issues relating to their career progression, government announced a roadmap for implementing the recommendations of the Justice D M Dharmadhikari Committee on measures to integrate the pay- scales and seniority issues of the staff of the two erstwhile state-run airlines -- Indian Airlines and Air India.