Pilots call off strike

       Pilots at the ailing staterun carrier Air India yesterday called off a strike over wage cuts in its fifth day,saying they had won government assurances that their salaries would be protected.
       The airline said it was again taking bookings, having suspended reservations earlier in the week, and that its flights would return to normal later in the day.
       Air India, which lost a billion dollars in the past financial year, has cancelled about 250 flights since pilots began calling in sick on Saturday to protest against 25-50% cuts in incentive pay.
       Senior pilots' representative V.K.Bhalla told reporters in New Delhi the stoppage was "immediately and absolutely called off" and that they would return to work at once.
       "We've all been given commitments that there will be no reduction of salaries,"Bhalla said."We're in complete cooperation with the management."
       Air India spokesman Jitender Bhargava said international flights were likely to resume in the evening, with domestic flights back to normal by this (Thursday)morning.
       The pilots' announcement came after Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said no changes would be made to bonus wages without prior consultation with employees.
       Air India employs more than 31,000 people and productivity-linked incentives make up the bulk of its payroll expenses.