New Delhi (Sputnik): Over 300 pilots of India's Jet Airways have threatened to stop flying from 1 April if the debt-laden carrier fails to pay salaries due for months by 31 March.
"If there is no proper clarity on resolution process and salary payment by 31 March, then Jet Airways pilots will stop flying from 1 April", a joint statement issued by the pilots reads.
Jet Airways pilots (unpaid for many months) outside airline's Mumbai headquarters. pic.twitter.com/oB4JdsVFCe
— Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) March 19, 2019
Earlier in the day, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — the country's civil aviation regulator — issued a statement saying that the situation was dynamic and that Jet may reduce the number of aircraft it is flying in coming weeks.
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"Current availability of aircraft in the fleet for operation is 41 and accordingly scheduled for 603 domestic flights and 382 international flights have been drawn. However, it is a dynamic situation and there may be further attrition in coming weeks", DGCA said.
The DGCA said that it is continuously monitoring the situation and based on the same, will take appropriate steps by the end of the month.
DGCA reviewed performance of Jet Airways on operational, airworthiness&passenger facilitation today. It instructed them to comply with relevant provisions of applicable CARs for facilitation of passengers regarding timely communication, compensation & providing alternate flights. pic.twitter.com/TgwXtt5Pvn
— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2019
Despite witnessing around 15% growth, India's aviation industry has been under pressure over the past 12 months due to rising costs and the cut-throat competition to attract flyers.
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