New Delhi, Aug 25 - About 20,000 employees of cash-strapped national carrier Air India Tuesday began a three-day hunger strike across various airports to protest delayed salaries.

However, flight operations had not been impacted, said an Air India spokesperson. 'We have a well formulated contingency plan and have deployed additional manpower to ensure smooth operations,' he said.

The striking employees, about half of Air India's staff strength, are affiliated to two major unions -- Air Corporation Employees Union (ACEU) and Aviation Industry Employees Guild (AIEG). The rest are members of other unions.

ACEU general secretary J.