Delhi High Court Quashes Termination Of Air India Pilots, Directs Reinstatement

Coming to the aid of Air India (AI) pilots including contractual ones whose services were terminated by the company in August last year citing financial difficulties, a single judge bench of Justice Jyoti Singh of the Delhi High Court today quashed the company's decision and directed their reinstatement with back wages.

Delivering its judgment orally today, the court said that a detailed written order would only be out tomorrow.

It has held, however, that the extension of contract in the future, of the contractual pilots would be at the discretion of the company in view of their performance.

The order was passed in a batch of around 48 petitions that were moved by the pilots seeking relief.

Last year, Air India had sacked 48 pilots who had resigned but withdrew their resignations within the six months notice period time as per rules.

The pilots were employed in flying the Airbus 320 fleet of the airline.

Though the carrier accepted the withdrawal of the resignations initially it was suddenly revoked later, with their services being terminated with immediate effect.

Air India cited financial constraints and the impact of Covid-19 on the commercial functioning of the company for the decision taken.

The letters had stated that, the operations were only a small fraction of pre-Covid levels and the situation was unlikely to change for the better in the foreseeable future. It stated that as the company was incurring huge net losses, it did not have the financial ability to pay.

Click here to read/download the judgment