The government has asserted that the striking Air India pilots should first report for duty and then come for talks. Taking a tough stand, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said the government is ready to talk on anything after the strike is called off. He reminded the pilots that Air India is running into losses and public money is being pumped in to revive the national carrier. The minister said the process of revival is bound to see many problems and asked the airline employees to be patient. He said, pilots should firmly say their views but not inconvenience the passengers and make Air India lose credibility.

Today is the sixth day of pilot stir. Air India spokesman told our correspondent that 14 International flights have been cancelled. The airline management has sacked 71 pilots so far and also asked Directorate General of Civil Aviation, DGCA for the cancellation of the flying licenses of 11 office- bearers of the Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG), which is spearheading the agitation. DGCA had yesterday issued show-cause notices to these 11 pilots of the IPG .

Meanwhile, Air India management, in its contingency plan has merged some Air India international flights to avoid the inconvenience of the passengers. The spokesman said some routes are also being diverted.

Over 200 pilots owing allegiance to IPG are on strike since Tuesday, badly disrupting the international operations of the national carrier. The airline has also suspended its bookings for international flights till 15 of this month.