Mumbai: With the expiry of the ultimatum given by the Air India management, Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) on April 26 decided not to withdraw its directives and refused to operate flights to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-affected regions unless AI provides a certificate that the accompanying crew has not travelled to these regions in the last 10 days.

"Such a certificate has been given for some flights so I do not see why it could not be extended to all flights," IPG general secretary Capt Vikrant Sansare told reporters after its managing committee meeting.

"We have also sought an appointment with Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj and if satisfied with the health enforcement procedures to prevent SARS infection amongst the crew, we will consider withdrawal of the directives," he said.

Asked if management would adopt a tough posture against them, Sansare said, "We are consulting our lawyers and will take a decision accordingly."

Sansare, when asked if they had presented any other demand, said IPG has no other demand but was interested only in the certificate. "Why is the management hesitant to give one?" he questioned.

"In our meeting with AI chairman K Roy Paul, IPG had apprised him of the current situation wherein the management has abrogated its rights to manage the airline," he said.

Earlier in the day, Civil Aviation Ministry officials had a meeting with IPG members and AI management had issued an ultimatum to the latter to withdraw its directives by evening.

PTI