Pilots at the ailing state-run carrier Air India Wednesday called off a strike over wage cuts in its fifth day, saying they had won government assurances that their salaries would be protected. The airline said it was again taking bookings, having suspended reservations earlier in the week, and that its flights would return to normal by Thursday morning.
Air India, which lost a billion dollars in the past financial year, cancelled about 250 flights since pilots began calling in sick on Saturday to protest against 25-50 percent cuts in incentive pay. V.K. Bhalla, representing the 212 striking pilots, told reporters in New Delhi the stoppage was "immediately and absolutely called off" and that they would return to work at once. Air India spokesman Jitender Bhargava said international flights were likely to resume by the evening, with domestic flights back on schedule by Thursday.