Standoff between Vistara and pilots continues, no breakthrough in talks yet

Vistara began flight operations in January 2015 (documentation).

New Delhi:

According to information obtained by NDTV on Tuesday evening, the pilot shortage is set to continue, causing Vistara to cancel multiple flights in the past 48 hours. The crisis, which saw 52 flights canceled today, is set to continue as talks between striking pilots and management fail to achieve a breakthrough.

Pilots are protesting against the airline’s revised contract following its merger with Air India.

Under the new agreement, the salary of junior co-pilots will come down from Rs 2.35 lakh per month to Rs 1.88 lakh per month as they will be required to fly only 40 hours instead of the previous 70 hours.

However, sources told NDTV that pilots who choose to fly more hours can earn more, even above the current salary.

Pilots are also upset that if they do not sign new contracts they may not be promoted to captain and subsequently to pilots flying wide-body aircraft on international routes.

Read | Inside the Vistara crisis: Why pilots are calling in sick en masse

Such pilots will be deemed not interested in working with Air India. “As a result, they will not be included in the transition,” the airline said.

Several pilots called in sick after receiving the email, disrupting flights.

On Monday, more than 150 flights were canceled and about 160 were delayed.

In interviews with New Delhi television, passengers complained of poor communication and hours-long wait times at the airport, and criticized the airline for harassing passengers.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has sought a detailed report on flight cancellations and delays. The minister also asked airlines to take steps to address the inconvenience caused to passengers.

Read | Center steps in as Vistara crisis deepens, more events canceled

Aviation regulators have asked Vistara to submit daily details on flight delays.

The airline, jointly owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, said it was working to stabilize the situation. “We acknowledge and are deeply concerned about the inconvenience caused to our passengers… Our teams are working hard to minimize discomfort…” the airline said.

The airline also said it had decided to temporarily reduce the number of flights it operates “to ensure adequate connectivity across our network”.