Protesting China Eastern pilots penalised for disrupting flights

CHINA Eastern Airlines has suspended pilots for disrupting flights in the course of a labour protest.

Pilots turned back mid-flight claiming adverse weather even though others were flying. Some landed and then took off without allowing passengers to get off.

The Shanghai-based airline said 21 flights in south western China's Yunnan province were intentionally disrupted on March 31, reported the Associated Press.

The disruptions inconvenienced more than 1,000 passengers, China Eastern said. They also prompted investigations by the airline and by China's Civil Aviation Administration, reported China Daily.