In the midst of the standoff between Air India and the Indian Pilots’ Guild (IPG), Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh, for the first time, speaks on a host of issues ailing the carrier. The conversation veered to the pilots’ strike, which the minister branded illegal, the merger of Air India (AI) and Indian Airlines, the continual drain of the taxpayer’s money through the loss-making enterprise, and the work culture hampering the morale of the Maharaja.

Raving to board: Hundreds of stranded passengers wait outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in the city, as the Air India pilots’ strike entered its fourth day yesterday. The pilots are agitating over unpaid salaries and dismal work conditions. They have urged the Aviation Minister to hold talks with them to end the impasse. Pic/Vijay Bate