New Delhi: Jet Airways pilots on Friday iterated that they will stop flying from April 1 because of non-clearance of their pending dues. If sources are to be believed engineers of airline also may join the strike. As per reports, the situation might be prevented if a firm commitment on payment of salary is made in next two days or immediate payment of the pending dues.
"A part of the expected interim funding from State Bank of India (SBI) was supposed to be auctioned on March 29. Unfortunately, the fund transfer has not taken place, hence no update on salary payment from the management. The collective decision of pilots taken at Mumbai and Delhi open house effective April 1, 2019, IST prevails", stated National Aviators Guild which is the Registered Pilots' Union of Jet Airways.
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The statement further clearly stated, "If there is no proper clarity on resolution process for salary payment by March 31, then Jet Airways pilots will stop flying from April 1." Last week, SBI led consortium of lenders had agreed to inject a total of Rs. 1,500 crore into the distressed airline as an interim arrangement till they find a suitable investor for Jet Airways by the end of June quarter.
Lead by Naresh Goyal cash-strapped Jet Airways has hit the rock bottom. It is facing the worst financial crisis of its 25-year existence. It is laden with a debt of more than one billion dollar. From a full capacity of 450 flights, the airline is reportedly down to operating 150 flights a day. Many of its planes have also been grounded. Apart from this, it has defaulted on repayment of debt, including External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs).