Air Sahara pilots call off 3-day strike

Pilots of Air Sahara called off their three-day agitation tonight after the management of the private carrier accepted their demand for waiver of the
mandatory six-month notice period for quitting.

This was agreed to after a day-long meeting between the pilots and Air Sahara management led by Seemanto Roy, son of Subroto Roy, sources among the striking pilots said today.

The agitation by the pilots had severely disrupted flights of Air Sahara for the last three days leaving thousands of passengers stranded acorss the country. The flights are likely to resume as per schedule tomorrow.

Thirteen flights of the airline were cancelled today.

The pilots had reported "sick" on Sunday and wanted Air Sahara to give no- objection certificate (NoC) to them so that they could join any other airline of their choice.

Such an NoC would get round the latest civil aviation requirement, which entails that a pilot should give a six-month notice for quitting unless the airline allows him to do so.

The sources said the management also agreed to have a policy of "golden handshake" for any pilot who wanted to leave the company. Modalities for the golden handshake would be worked out by the pilots and the management.

The pilots of the private carrier also protested their reduced pay packets following the buy out of Air Sahara by Jet Airways. They also demanded their seniority be protected in the new entity following the acquisition.