The stalemate in the Air India pilots's strike continuews. Civil Aviation MinisterAjit Singh today reaffirmed the government's readiness to hold talks with the pilots and hoped that they would follow the High Court order declaring the stir illegal. He also said the merger of Indian Airlines and Air India was a mistake.

"The High Court has given a very clear order. Let us hope that pilots follow the High Court judgement. Everything is negotiable, but they must reach out to us first," Singh said.  Holding that interest of the airline and passengers was of paramount interest, the Minister said, "They must make sure that Air India does not lose credibility." The Delhi High Court had yesterday held the strike illegal and barred the pilots from any protest action.

The Pilots' Guild says they are willing to talk to the minister and want to meet the minister.

While we wait for one of them to blink first, Air India is losing Rs 10 crore per day due to the strike.