New Delhi, September 09: Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal said he is ready to take tough action against the agitating pilots on the second consecutive day of the strike.
Goyal said, he won’t bow to “blackmail from pilots” and threatened to sack more pilots if necessary.
“Their strike is illegal, it’s a contempt of court. I hope sense will prevail. If they don’t come to work, we will have to look at legal options and I hope this doesn’t happen,” Goyal said.
“The Mumbai HC has given a judgement that they must start working. We have been telling them that they must report to duty as per the HC order. Many have reported sick today but we know they are not sick,” Goyal added.
A total of 186 flights – 154 domestic and 32 international – had been cancelled or affected throughout its network, the airline said. The strike also grounded most of the carrier’s domestic flights.
AI gains from Jet’s losses, flies Team India
Jet cracks the whip, sacks 3 ‘sick’ pilots
Govt asks Jet to end pilots’ strike
Your Say: Aviation industry in a mess?
However, all of its wide-body aircraft on long-haul flights were operating normally, thanks to their foreign pilots, who reportedly did not participate in the sick-out.
“I would apologise to the customers who have suffered because of this strike. They know that we have given them the best possible services worldwide. We are doing everything possible,” Goyal asid.
Meanwhile, Jet Airways pilots are expected to meet the Director General of Civil Aviation, a senior Civil Aviation Ministry official said. The directorate has asked states to see if it is necessary to invoke the Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) if the agitation continues.
“If pilots do not join work back, we will not be left with an option but to continue with the rule of law,” Goyal said.
“They have made the passengers suffer. Inspite of them being rostered they did not report to duty,” Goyal added.
–Agencies