February 16 2012 | Last updated

UAE | Tourism

Air India and IC coded flights will not be affected by strike threat

Talks continuing with the union to settle the issue of wage cuts, aviation official says

By Sunita Menon Staff Reporter Published: 23:16 June 29, 2009

Dubai Indian expatriates flying on Air India and IC coded flights need not worry about flight delays and cancellations, said officials of the National Aviation Company Limited (NACL) on Monday.

Overseas Indians who have booked their flights on Air India and IC coded flights were concerned about impending strike threats and demonstrations by a section of the airline's union if the company goes ahead with its decision on wage cuts.

Unions have threatened to go on strike from Wednesday against the announcement of wage cuts that will affect over 31,000 employees. The aim is to bring a reduction to its annual wage bill from an estimated Rs31 billion (Dh2.36 billion) to an estimated Rs5 billion (Dh384 million).

Speaking to Gulf News from Mumbai a spokeswoman from NACL said talks are still ongoing with the union to settle the matter.

"So far each of our flights will be operating on schedule. We still have a day to go and hopefully an agreement will be reached between the two parties," said the spokeswoman.

One AI employee who spoke from Mumbai said the management had earlier informed them that their salaries would be deferred by 15 days. But the latest statement reads that wages will be cut.

A statement issued by the airline said it had not retrenced staff "till date" and has formed a four-member panel to examine wage agreements apart from flying allowances and other incentives. The panel is expected to submit its report by July 15. The statement also reiterates its resolve to maintain its flights as per schedule and urged passengers to book its flights as usual.

Biswajeet Mukerji, AI manager Dubai and Northern Emirates, told Gulf News that flights from UAE to India will not be affected.

"So far everything is going on schedule," he said. AI operates two flights a day to Mumbai and Delhi and is booked to capacity.

Abhay Pathak, regional manager IC which operates around 90 flights per week to 16 Indian destinations said: "Only a small section of the union has threatened to strike. I expect things to be sorted out at the earliest."

"I heard of the disagreements and the strike threat by the union on television and it got me worried because my family is flying IC to Calicut on July 1. It's an evening flight from Sharjah and I just don't want anything to change my plans," said K. Mohandas who is employed with a Dubai-based media company.

"There is still a day to go and hopefully the matter on wage cuts and delays will be sorted out. It is not in the interest of NACL to disrupt traffic and incur losses," he added.

Vani Jaykumar a Dubai resident said: "I am closely following the news on television and online news sites. I am sure that the authorities will work out some package deal with the employees. But it is always reassuring when officials say flights will operate on schedule," she said.