Softening its stand, striking Air India pilots have welcomed Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh's offer to hold talks with them. They indicated that they are ready to return to work if the 101 sacked pilots are reinstated.

Indian Pilots Guild, IPG has sought an appointment with the minister to clarify issues so that the current impasse could be ended. In a letter to Ajit Singh, the IPG General Secretary offered to hold talks with the government to end the stalemate.

The IPG letter came a day after the Civil Aviation Minister said the government may consider reinstatement of the pilots on a case-to-case basis if they return to work.