New Delhi: Jet Airways’ plan to merge its low-cost brand JetLite with itself seems to be facing turbulence. The new JetLite pilots union, JetLite Welfare Association (JLWA), has threatened mass resignations and strikes from this week because the Jet management is now invoking a bond in the contract of some pilots to force them to join the airline under “unacceptable” terms.
The development comes even as Jet faces major flight delays, especially for flights out of Mumbai, due to acute pilot shortage and inability to absorb JetLite pilots under favourable terms. The situation could get worse for the Mumbai-based full-service carrier if the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decides to act on a previous suspension notice served to 129 of its pilots for flying without mandatory certification — a decision is likely this week.
“In the last few weeks, we met senior members of the Jet management, including CEO Cramer Ball and group executive officer Hameed Ali. They said they are sympathetic towards our problems and will give us a better offer for joining Jet. However, they are going ahead with forceful transfers to Jet. For some junior pilots, there is a bond of R12 lakh in the contract, and this is being used to force them to join Jet,” a JLWA office bearer said. Jet Airways did not reply to an emailed questionnaire till the time of going to press.
27/10/14 Roudra Bhattacharya/Financial Express
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The development comes even as Jet faces major flight delays, especially for flights out of Mumbai, due to acute pilot shortage and inability to absorb JetLite pilots under favourable terms. The situation could get worse for the Mumbai-based full-service carrier if the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decides to act on a previous suspension notice served to 129 of its pilots for flying without mandatory certification — a decision is likely this week.
“In the last few weeks, we met senior members of the Jet management, including CEO Cramer Ball and group executive officer Hameed Ali. They said they are sympathetic towards our problems and will give us a better offer for joining Jet. However, they are going ahead with forceful transfers to Jet. For some junior pilots, there is a bond of R12 lakh in the contract, and this is being used to force them to join Jet,” a JLWA office bearer said. Jet Airways did not reply to an emailed questionnaire till the time of going to press.
27/10/14 Roudra Bhattacharya/Financial Express
