The striking Air India pilots today approached the Government for talks after the Supreme Court refused to initiate contempt proceedings against them and instead asked the airline to negotiate. Faced with a tough-talking AI management, which was backed by the Government, and public anger over cancellations and delays in the holiday season, the agitating pilots made the first move for talks to end the impasse.

The spokesman of the Indian Pilots Guild, Tauseef Mukaddam which is spearheading the agitation said, IPG has sought time to hold talks with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh. On its part, the Government also offered to talk to the pilots but with a rider that they must return to work.