Jet Airways' pilots want single seniority list

Jet Airways is considering shifting its entire ATR fleet and a few Boeing 737s to JetLite

Jet Airways pilots have sought a common seniority list to ensure their career progression isn’t hit by their transfer to the airline’s subsidiary, JetLite.

Jet Airways is considering shifting its entire ATR fleet, along with a few Boeing 737s, to JetLite to strengthen the subsidiary’s operations and enable it to compete with rivals. For the quarter ended March, Jet Airways had reported a consolidated loss of Rs 2,465 crore, primarily due to a Rs 700-crore impairment the airline took on JetLite’s loss, as well as erosion in net worth.

Jet Airways did not respond to an emailed query on the matter.

A source in the airline said the airline management had held discussions with pilots, after they had expressed concern over career progression.

Jet Airways pilots have a choice of moving from ATRs to Boeing 737s and, subsequently, to wide-bodied aircraft such as Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. Pilots fear upon their transfer to the subsidiary, they will lose the opportunity to move from turbo-prop planes to jet engines. “Many first officers from Jet Airways Boeing 737 got a command on ATRs, as there was a shortage of commanders on turbo-props. They are upset about the move to transfer them to JetLite, while their juniors on Boeing 737s are being given command training on the same aircraft,” said a source.

D Balaraman, president of National Aviators Guild, said, “We have demanded a common seniority list for all pilots of Jet Airways and JetLite. This will ensure seniority of Jet Airways pilots will not change upon transfer to JetLite and they will be able to move on to Boeing 737s and wide-bodied planes. The management has agreed to it. We are negotiating with the management so that pilots’ interests are safeguarded and there are no changes in service conditions.” Jet Airways has two operating permits. It offers both full service and no-frills service (Jet Konnect) in the domestic market. Under Jet Airways’ permit, the airline operates 61 Boeing 737s and 18 ATRs. While the airline’s Boeing aircraft have both economy and business class, the ATRs have only economy seating and are used for no-frills services alone.