Air India pilots call off strike

Hundreds of Air India pilots have decided to call off a two-month strike over training and return to work, reports say.

India's aviation minister is due to meet the unions from national carrier Air India, where a strike by the pilots has entered its 14th day.

Hundreds of striking pilots of India's national carrier have ended a 58 day strike after a court told them to return to work within two days.

At least 14 Air India flights are cancelled as a strike by pilots of the national carrier enters its seventh day.

A union said Saturday it was ready for unconditional talks to end a five-day walkout by pilots of national carrier Air India, as the airline fired 25 more strikers and cancelled more flights.Some 200 pilots from the debt-laden airline, which is facing mounting problems due to rising fuel prices, competition from low-cost rivals and a record of labour disputes, have been on strike since late Monday.

Today the board of Air Asia India announced that Mittu Chandilya will be the new Chief Executive of the operator’s India business. German insurer Allianz reported higher than expected profits in Q1 due to lower losses from national disasters and higher prices in its major markets. ITV revenues from advertising are expected to drop by near 15% year-on-year in July. Pinewood Studios, owner of the James Bond franchise, seems to have overcome its hesitation to the planned £200 million expansion.  

The much awaited deal between Jet Airways and Gulf carrier Etihad is set to threaten national carrier Air India's very survival by giving it fierce competition on international routes.

Almost 100 pilots of Air India call in sick amid a dispute over training for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes.