At least 14 Jet Airways flights have been cancelled on Sunday after some of its pilots are reported sick protesting against their unpaid salaries. An airline spokesperson said that the flights were cancelled owing to an unforeseen operational circumstance, not pilot non-cooperation.
According to news agency PTI, “The loss-making Jet Airways has been defaulting on the payment of salaries to its senior management, pilots and engineers since August due to a severe cash crunch.”
The Airline has paid partial salaries of its staff members for the month of September. They have reportedly not paid the salaries for October and November.
“At least 14 flights have been cancelled so far due to some pilots reporting sick. They are protesting against the non-payment of salaries and the attitude of the National Aviator’s Guild (NAG) in taking up the issue with the management,” sources said that some pilots wrote to Chairman Naresh Goyal, saying they were unwilling to work this way.
It is to be noted that the domestic-pilots’ body of Jet Airways, represents more than 1,000 pilots.
An airline spokesperson told PTI, “The management is in regular dialogue with pilots and other teams to discuss and resolve ongoing issues including disbursement of salaries.”
The passengers of Airline have been informed through SMS alerts and they were re-accommodated or compensated.
The company issued a statement which reads, “The company continues to enjoy the complete support and cooperation of all its employees, including pilots and engineers, individually and through their respective representative bodies, who have extended their solidarity and full support to the airline.”
“As stated earlier, Jet Airways is committed to meet its obligations and has been progressively addressing this issue with the employees,” the statement reads.
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