The government on Friday held third round of talks with agitating Air India pilots to resolve the stalemate even as the carrier’s operation remained crippled for the tenth consecutive day. The state-owned carrier has managed to operate only 10% of its 320 daily flights on a normal day losing about R200 crore so far.

It has prepared a contingency plan to operate at least 40% of its flights by chartering planes from private airline Kingfisher Airlines. The interim arrangement is being worked out for the next 10 days till may 16.The civil aviation ministry has authorised Prashant Sukul, a joint secretary in the ministry, to negotiate with striking pilots on demands ranging from reversal of Air India management’s decision to derecognise the union to ensure pay parity besides better service conditions.Things are moving in positive direction but there is nothing concrete so far. We have discussed various issues including pay parity.