Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has said that the government is willing to talk with any Union of Air India but stressed that discipline has to be maintained if national carrier has to survive.

He said, pilots should call off their strike especially when it is vacation time and all Unions have to rise above their personal interests. The Minister warned, if Air India does not stay afloat, all their jobs will be at stake.

Noting that aviation industry and Air India are passing through a tough phase due to high price of ATF and high service tax along with Airport charges, the Minister said, he will take up the issue with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

On the problems facing Kingfisher, he said, Kingfisher is a private company and they will have to sort out their problem themselves.

Air India Pilots strike has entered the fourth day today. Airliner spokesman said that all long haul flights to United States of America, Europe, Riyadh and Jeddah have been cancelled.

He said bookings of its flight to these destinations have already been stopped till 15th of this month. With pilots remaining defiant, the Air India management had suspended 46 pilots.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today refused to entertain Air India's contempt petition against Indian Pilots Guild. It asked Air India to sit with pilots and sort out differences.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, DGCA today warned private airlines against hiking fares beyond their band. In its order DGCA has said, the cost of operation has not undergone any major change over the past two months.

DGCA has said, through search of websites of airlines and media reports as well as feedback from air travellers that fares on certain high demand sectors have registered a sudden spurt, which is almost 15 to 20 per cent higher on various metro routes compared to a month ago.

DGCA has directed domestic airlines to ensure that fares offered on various sectors remain within the fare band uploaded on the website of respective airlines.

The DGCA order came in the wake of MPs raising the issue in Parliament yesterday and asking the government to act.

Air India had moved a petition in the Apex court seeking initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against the office bearers of the Indian Pilots Guild for allegedly obstructing implementation of its order on training of pilots for the Dreamliner aircraft.