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The crisis in Air India continued as pilots' strike entered its fifteenth day on Tuesday. The national carrier had on Monday sacked 30 more of its striking pilots, taking the number of pilots who have lost jobs so far up to 101. Earlier, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has sought support of all Air India unions to restore the airline's financial health and its past glory. In a meeting with leaders of Air India unions, Singh said the recommendations of the Dharmadhikari Committee, which went into all issues like pay parity and career progression, would be implemented only after all the unions are consulted. Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Air India Engineering Association, Pradeep Bhogale, said that the minister had appraised the unions about the government's intentions for a turnaround plan to improve the ailing national carrier's sagging position. "He (Singh) informed us about the 30,000 crore rupees equity infusion by the government of India . He informed that with this equity infusion, there is a turnaround plan, and that there are milestones (which) we have to cross, and we have to bring back the glory (that) was with Air India ," Bhogale said. The ongoing pilots' agitation has resulted in cancellation of several flights of the ailing airlines, including many international ones, causing significant trouble to passengers and also a loss of well over Rs.200 crore to the exchequer. About 500 Air India pilots who fly international routes have been demanding that their colleagues from Indian Airlines should not be trained to fly Dreamliners, as they believe it may hurt the career prospects of original Air India staff. Both companies were merged in 2007, but there have been problems with integration. Air India 's purchase of Dreamliners was also criticised by a central auditor last year for "imposing an undue long-term financial burden". The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) had on April 25 decided to raise airport fares, including User Development Fee (UDF), by 346 percent for two years. The newly introduced UDF at the Delhi airport seems to be upsetting many. Passengers and airlines would now have to pay 346 percent more as compared to what they paid to the airport operator-the GMR Group-along with its consortium. As per the airports regulator order, the UDF for international travel would be rupees 845.50 for outgoing passengers travelling between 2,000 -5,000 kilometres and Rupees 699.17 for incoming ones. For those traveling beyond 5,000 kilometres, the UDF would be rupees 1,068 for outgoing and rupees 881.10 for incoming. (ANI) xxxxxxxxxx (World/S.Asia) Musharraf's arrest warrant valid until compliance, FIA tells Interpol Rawalpindi , May 22 (ANI): Pakistan 's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has informed Interpol, the international police agency, that the arrest warrant of former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, issued by an anti-terrorism court, will remain valid until its compliance, said FIA Senior Public Prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar. "Interpol, through a letter, had asked the FIA about the expiry date of the arrest warrant. In response, we have conveyed them that it will remain valid until the arrest of Musharraf," the Daily Times quoted Zulfiqar, as saying. The arrest warrant will remain effective until the handing over of Pervez Musharraf to Pakistan , or unless the trial court itself cancels it, he added.

Air India pilots' strike enters Day 15