NEW DELHI: India’s domestic airline network has been in chaos following an indefinite strike by employees of state-run Indian Airlines.
Air travel across the country has been severely disrupted by a dispute over wages and career prospects involving baggage handlers, check-in staff and other employees of Indian Airlines.
Badly affected airports have included Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Cabin crew have continued to work on limited services.
The strike action came after the government approved a plan to merge the struggling airline with the country’s flagship carrier, Air India.
The two have faced intense competition from new private airlines in recent years and Indian Airlines has seen its market share drop to 20%.
Indian Airlines operates more than 300 flights a day, carrying some 30,000 passengers.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel called the strike illegal. He said it was not in the interests of staff or the airline and employees should understand that in times of competition, passengers have other options.
