As the strike by agitating pilots entered fourth day today, Air India has hired a Kingfisher Airbus to clear off the backlog on two major routes. Official sources said that the aircraft hired for a day along with its cabin crew will fly on Delhi- Varanasi and Delhi- Bombay routes. Earlier the Government had decided to bring on board some pilots from private airlines to operate Air India trunk routes. Official Sources said in New Delhi that Air India has approached DG, Civil Aviation for its permission to allow these pilots to fly Air India planes. The plight of passengers continue as the national carrier further reduced its flight operations today with only 39 of its scheduled 320 flights operating on major trunk routes to the metro cities. According to Air India sources, the management is preparing a list of pilots who absented themselves without any intimation and will initiate action against them. It has also been decided to follow the 'no work no pay principle for agitating pilots. The Delhi High Court has also initiated contempt proceedings against the striking pilots for defying its order to resume work. Meanwhile, the striking pilots have refused to resume duties and said that they are willing to go to jail till there demands are met.