Jet Airways cancels 14 flights after pilots reports 'sick' amid unpaid salaries protest; airlines calls it unforeseen operational circumstances
Jet Airways, India's biggest airline service carrier have cancelled at least 14 flights on Sunday after some pilots protesting over unpaid salaries called in sick. As it has been reported, Jet Airways has been facing a severe cash crunch and has been defaulting on the salaries distribution to its senior management, pilots and engineers since August, the Press Trust of India reports.
The airline's spokesperson, however, asserted that the cancellation of the December 2 flights was "due to an unforeseen operational circumstance," not pilot non-cooperation due to salaries default.
Jet Airways spokesperson on 14 Jet Airways flights cancelled yesterday after pilots reportedly called in sick: The management is in regular dialogue with pilots and other teams to discuss and resolve on-going issues including disbursement of salaries. https://t.co/qFwljCWcCr
— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2018
"The management is in regular dialogue with pilots and other teams to discuss and resolve ongoing issues including disbursement of salaries," said a Jet Airways spokesperson on Monday.
According to PTI, Jet Airways has partially paid the salaries of staff members for September even as the full salaries of October and November remain unpaid.
"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," the source said. The NAG is a domestic-pilots body of Jet Airways, representing over a 1,000 pilots.
"Some pilots have also written to Chairman Naresh Goyal, saying they are unwilling to work this way," another source said.
"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," Jet Airways said.
"As stated earlier, Jet Airways is committed to meet its obligations and has been progressively addressing this issue with the employees," the statement by the airlines added.
First published: 3 December 2018, 12:11 IST