Jet Airways pilots threaten to stop flying from April 1

The umbrella body of the domestic pilots of the nearly crippled Jet Airways on March 20 threatened to stop flying from April 1 if the resolution plan is delayed and salary dues are not cleared by the end of this month.

The decision was taken at the annual meeting of Jet Airways domestic pilots body National Aviators Guild. The guild, which came into being almost a decade ago, represents around 1,000 domestic pilots at the airline. “If there is no proper clarity on the resolution process and salary payments, by March 31, we will stop flying from April 1,” the guild said.

The pilots and other senior staff have not been getting their full salaries since December. Having failed to get any assurance from the management on salaries, the guild last week had written to Union labour minister Santosh Gangwar, seeking his intervention.

Meanwhile, aviation minister Suresh Prabhu on March 20 also directed his the secretary to hold an emergency meeting on the debt-ridden airline that has been cancelling flights abruptly following the grounding of a large part of its fleet.