Derecognition came after over 200 member pilots went on strike and refused to fly to SARS-hit areas in April 2003. On April 29, Air India formally revoked its recognition as a pilots’ body of the national carrier.

“We have signed a deed of recognition with the IPG,” confirmed a spokesperson for the national carrier. “The IPG is the oldest trade union representing professional pilots in the country and has played a key role in the evolution of civil aviation in India. We will continue to play a positive role in the Indian aviation sector that has seen tremendous progress in the last few years,” said Jeetendra Awhad, the IPG president. IPG was founded by a group of former Royal Indian Air Force fighter pilots in 1948 and was registered as a trade union. The word ‘Guild’ was used to indicate a common name for a body of skilled professionals, according to IPG. The ex-Royal Indian Air Force fighter pilots had joined the then Tata Airlines that was then flying the Douglas DC-3 Dakota airplanes. Owing to pilots’ refusal to fly to SARS-affected countries, the airline had taken strict measures and even suspended executive pilots from its roster. In all, 27 pilots had been suspended then and disciplinary action was initiated against 56 pilots.

However, according to an IPG spokesperson, all but two of the suspended pilots had resumed duty. “Only the then IPG President, Capt. Kenneth Khan and General Secretary, Capt. Vikrant Sansare, had not resumed duty. Capt. Khan because he had retired post-disciplinary enquiry and Capt. Sansare as he is still fighting a legal battle with Air India,” said the spokesperson.