IA pilots' union now says J&K is no-fly zone

IA pilots' union now says J&K is no-fly zone
SANDEEP PHUKAN

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 25: The Indian Commercial Pilots Association, a union of Indian Airlines (I-A) pilots, issued a directive late tonight to all its members asking them to stop flying on the Jammu-Srinagar sector from tomorrow in view of what it calls the ``sub-standard'' conditions of the two airports. Out of the estimated 375 IA pilots, over 300 are members of the ICPA.

However, an airport official said he wasn't aware of this and that there was no change in tomorrow's 10.10 am schedule of the Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar flight.

Citing ``national interest,'' the ICPA directive asks members to operate chartered flights for defence personnel. The ICPA alleges that no steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the airfields at Jammu and Srinagar.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior ICPA member said: ``This is not a strike. We will not operate unsafe flights.'' When asked why Jet Airways, which also flies in that sector, wasn't raising any objections, he said: ``Pilots of other airlines have no voice in the system.''