Pilots' alleged disputes with their employers are again in the spotlight after media quoted pilots as saying they turned departing flights around midway, returning to the boarding airport to show discontent with airlines.

The Yunnan Info Daily on Wednesday quoted an unnamed pilot as saying 17 China Eastern flights departing from Kunming airport returned to the city after takeoff on Monday and Tuesday for reasons other than "weather conditions" - the explanation given by the carrier.

The pilot said the moves were to show discontent with their employer over treatment and pay.