As the strike by Air India pilots entered the 12th day, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh today promised action in two months on a report which dealt with some of their problems. He also renewed his appeal to them to return to work.

The fresh appeal came even as flights of the state-owned airline's subsidiary AI Express continued to be affected, though not severely. Official sources said, the airline's curtailed international flight schedules operated normally.

Talking to the reporters after inaugurating a new terminal in Lucknow today Ajit singh said the Dharmadhikari report on AI merger has been submitted come and it will be implemented in two months after having talks with them. He said , the government is making all efforts to resolve the situation and appealed to the pilots that they should think about the passengers.

He said the strike has already cost the ailing national carrier 200 crore rupees.The minister also pointed out that the strike by AI pilots has been declared illegal by the High Court.

With Ajit Singh offering unconditional talks once the striking pilots resumed duty, the Indian Pilots Guild has said it was ready to negotiate if the sack orders of 71 pilots were revoked.

Earlier, addressing the function, Ajit Singh said the centre has plans to develop all airports in the state with the investment of 1500 crore rupees. Development of Meerut Airport and extension of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy, Raibareilly are in the pipeline.

A new green field air port will be developed at Kushi Nagar with investments of 500 crore rupees. He said that Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy, Raibareilly will be developed as regular airport.

AIR correspondent reports that New Integrated Terminal Building at Choudhary Charan Singh Airport, Lucknow has been constructed with the cost of about 130 crores rupees and spread over 22 thousand square meter area.