NEW DELHI, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chaos continued to rule the airports across India Thursday as the country's leading private airline Jet Airways was compelled to cancel over 200 domestic and international flights, following the third day of strike by pilots over reinstatement of their two sacked colleagues.

    A senior official of Jet Airways said that the airline has canceled 163 domestic and 35 international flights as 400 of its more than 1,000 pilots failed to report for duty.

    Aviation sources said that as the standoff pilots was showing no signs of relenting and continuing on mass sick leave, a possible solution seemed to be not at bay.

    "Neither Jet Airways wants to reinstate the two pilots sacked for floating a trade union, nor are the pilots agreeing to bow to the management pressure. Some 20,000 air passengers are hit by the strike," the sources said.

    Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal met Indian Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel in the national capital on Wednesday.

    "The minister suggested that the airways should take immediate action to end the agitation that has affected over 20,000 passengers. The Indian government could also impose the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) if needed," an Indian aviation official said.

    Under ESMA, any person who commences a strike which is illegal or otherwise takes part in any such strike shall be punishable by imprisonment of six months or by a fine or both.