Air hostess molestation case: Air India grills pilots

October 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - As part of its investigation into the Oct 3 mid-air scuffle and alleged molestation on board an Air India flight, the National Commission for Women (NCW) will Wednesday meet the air hostess, the flight purser and the two pilots involved in the incident. "Members of the five-member committee constituted by the NCW will meet and take statements from the air hostess, the flight purser and two pilots," an NCW official told IANS.

October 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - State-run Air India Tuesday suspended a pilot and a flight purser who were involved in a midair scuffle Saturday aboard an international flight from Sharjah to Delhi, and put off duty the co-pilot and air hostess concerned. "Yes, we have suspended the pilot and the flight purser and derostered the co-pilot and the air hostess concerned," a spokesperson of the airline told IANS Tuesday, adding an internal inquiry into the incident was still on.

October 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The National Commission for Women (NCW) has decided to institute an investigative committee to probe into the charges of molestation levelled by an air hostess against two pilots in an Air India flight on its way from Sharjah to Lucknow last week. This was revealed by Girija Vyas, Chairperson of NCW here on Monday.

October 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Air India Monday said the cockpit of its Sharjah-Lucknow-Delhi flight IC-884 was not left unmanned during a mid-air scuffle that broke out between the pilots and cabin crew Saturday. "The committee constituted by the Air India management to inquire into the incident has concluded decisively that the cockpit was not left unmanned at any point of time during the flight phase," the airline said in a statement.

October 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The National Commission for Women (NCW) Monday formed a panel to probe the charges of assault levelled by an Air India air hostess against two pilots who were allegedly involved in a mid-air scuffle with her during a flight. The air hostess had filed a formal complaint with the women's panel.

October 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Air India on Sunday de-rostered two pilots and crew members over allegations that they threw punches and hurled abuses at each other mid-air on AI flight IC 884 from Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) to New Delhi after a female attendant accused the pilots of molesting her. The incident took place, when the flight carrying 106 passengers and seven crew on board, was 30,000 feet above sea level over Pakistan on Saturday.

October 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Delhi Police, on a complaint filed by an air hostess, Sunday registered a case against two Air India pilots allegedly involved in a scuffle with some cabin crew members during a flight. "The air hostess sustained bruises and injuries on her hand," Joint Commissioner of Police (operations) Satyendera Garg said, adding her medical examination had confirmed she had been assaulted.

October 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Air India Sunday grounded two pilots and crew members involved in a mid-air scuffle, even as Delhi Police registered a case of molestation against the pilots on a complaint filed by an air hostess. "The incident of scuffle between the two pilots and cabin crew members of IC 884 (Sharjah-Lucknow-Delhi flight) was reported yesterday morning," an Air India spokesperson said Sunday.

October 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Air India Sunday grounded two pilots and cabin crew members involved in a mid-air scuffle while Delhi Police registered a case of molestation against the pilots on a complaint of an air hostess. "The incident of scuffle between the two pilots and cabin crew members of IC 884 (Sharjah-Lucknow-Delhi flight) was reported yesterday morning," an Air India spokesperson said Sunday.

September 30th, 2009 NEW DELHI - All Air India pilots will return to work after they received assurances on salary related issues from the airline mnagement. The decision came few hours after the Central Government warned that it would take strict action against Air India pilots if they do not report for duty by 5:00 p.m.

September 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Pilots of various airlines are looking at forming a single union to collectively air their grievances. I don't know why there is so much fuss over our salaries," said Girish Kaushik, a senior pilot with Jet Airways.

September 27th, 2009 MUMBAI - The deadlock between Air India management and agitating pilots on Sunday appeared to be heading towards a positive direction, as Air India management reportedly offered an olive branch to the striking pilots by agreeing to withdraw incentive-cut. Air India management, moreover, has also agreed to set up a committee to look into the Productivity-Linked Incentives (PLI) modalities.

September 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The deadlock between Air India management and agitating pilots continues even on second day on Sunday. The executive pilots of the national carrier did not report to work on Sunday and continued their protest against cut in the productivity-linked incentives (PLI).

September 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Air India has cancelled its two flights on Saturday due to an agitation called by a section of the national airlines' pilots. The executive pilots of Air India are protesting against the decision of the management to reduce their productivity-linked incentives (PLI) by 50 per cent.

September 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Talks between executive pilots on strike and Air India Management is now on here today to resolve the deadlock and to discuss about their demands to reduce their productivity-linked incentives (PLI) by 50 per cent. Air India has cancelled its two flights due to an agitation called by a section of the national airlines' pilots.