The tussle between the Air India and the erstwhile Indian Airlines (IA) staff is still on. A letter written by pilots union reveals that the impasse between the two also sometimes leads to delay or cancellation of flights.

Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) regional secretary Capt Amitesh Ahuja in a letter written to Executive Director complained about the non-cooperation from Air India staff. The letter raises various issue that causes difficulties to pilots traveling on Staff-on-Duty (SOD).

The letter reads, ”……….even after more than one year of operations from terminal 3, New Delhi, Air India refuses to accept SOD of pilots whose tickets are issued by erstwhile Indian Airlines (IA).”

Erstwhile IA pilots complained that “even if the pilot is accepted for SOD and seats are available, the pilots are not upgraded to “J” class which is a clear violation of standing instructions of Operation Manual”

A member of ICPA upset with the unhelpful approach of the AI pilots says that the “Air India staff positioned at Terminal 3 refuses to check-in crew baggage of erstwhile Indian Airlines pilots at the dedicated crew check-in counter”

ICPA has requested the ED to direct and educate the concerned staff for strict compliance of standing orders and to follow the Operations manual in order to avoid delay or cancellation of flights.