Jet Airways Pilots Appeal To PM Modi To Save 20,000 Jobs

The National Aviator's Guild (NAG), the Jet Airways pilots body, appealed to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to save 20,000 jobs and to the State Bank of India (SBI) to release Rs 1,500 crore as part of the proposed debt-restructuring plan for the ailing carrier.

The airline currently has almost its entire fleet of planes grounded for non-payment of dues amid a severe cash crunch. Only 6 to 7 planes are now being operated.

On Monday, NAG vice president Adim Valiani told PTI reporters at the airline's headquarter, Siroya Centre, "We would like to appeal SBI to release ₹1,500 crore funds for the airline to help it continue operations. We also appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save 20,000 odd jobs at the airline."

According to a PTI report, the pilots along with engineers and senior staff were last paid for December 2018. Jet Airways further defaulted on salary payments for the month of March 2019 to other categories of employees. The pilots, engineers and cabin crew of the airlines assembled at the headquarters on Monday morning to show their solidarity.

In March, a consortium of lenders led by SBI took control over the management and it was decided to infuse Rs 1,500 crore into the carrier to keep it going till an investor is found.

The stake sale in Jet Airways ended on Friday.

The decision on the quantum of funds to be infused immediately to avert a possible shut down is to be reportedly decided on Monday after a meeting between the management and lenders.