New Delhi:
The Delhi High Court today slammed the Air India management over the sacking of 101 pilots.
"It looks now like the (Air India) management wants to have its cake and eat it too. The basic question is how much time will it take for pilots to be reinstated, and what is their misdemeanor. They have not asked for any demands," the High Court said today.
"You wanted them to join quickly but now you're sitting on conciliatory proceedings. You want to tilt the scale in your favour," the High Court told the airline management.
Before the hearing in the case was adjourned for the day, the court asked the management has to reply by July 18.
The scheduling of international flights of Air India, including those to new destinations, has been affected due to the sackings.
A total of 101 pilots, owing allegiance to the Indian Pilots Guild, were sacked during the 58-day long strike that was recently staged over career progression and other issues.
The national carrier had been operating 38 out of 45 international flights as part of its contingency plan, which has been extended till August. These flights are being operated by about 120 executive pilots, who are in the management cadre.