2 Indian airlines in crisis with pilot strike
NEW DELHI (AP) — Hundreds of passengers have been stranded in India after Air India canceled around 20 international flights due to a strike by pilots.
Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said Friday the government would negotiate with the pilots union only after the pilots return to work.
At least 300 Air India pilots have stayed away from work for the past four days, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Delhi and Mumbai airports.
Air India operates 450 international and domestic flights every day. The carrier has sacked 36 pilots since the strike began.
Meanwhile, privately owned Kingfisher airlines has canceled a dozen flights after many of its pilots called in sick. Pilots at the financially troubled airline say they have not been paid salaries since December.
