According to Delhi Airport sources, at least ten early morning flights of Jet Airways as well as JetLite have been cancelled as the pilots did not report for duties. The flights were scheduled to fly on major routes like Mumbai, Bangalore and other major cities such as Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Bhopal. Following their cancellation, the airlines accommodated a large number of passengers in the flights of Air India and other domestic carriers.

 

In a press statement, Jet Airways said that a section of airlines pilot who were rostered for flying duties on Tuesday have gone on a simulated strike by reporting sick. The statement said, “This organised activity is a planned sabotage of operations that will damage the airline's operations and inconvenience the travelling public. Jet Airways is taking all steps to minimise the inconvenience to its guests. The airline will make all efforts to operate the maximum number of flights.” “We will try to accommodate our guests on alternate flights as some flights may have to be combined or cancelled”, the statement added.

 

Last month, Jet Airways had terminated the services of two of its senior most pilots, saying that "Their services were not required" after the two pilots along with other colleagues formed a trade union body. Meanwhile the union had gone on strike, saying that the firing of the duo "an act of vendetta" and demanded their reinstatement.

 

The decision of the pilots has hampered the operations of the private carrier across the country. If this goes on for a couple of days, it would be very troublesome for air passengers who had booked tickets well in advance. Jet Airways management should sort out the matter as soon as possible in interest of the air travellers.