Jet pilots report sick to protest against new duty hours; seniors deny crew shortage

New roster ignores "human factors," say pilots. Jet will prepare crew duty rosters in consultation with pilots' union

Jet Airways will prepare crew duty rosters in consultation with pilots' union.

This was agreed between the pilots' union and the airline management on Wednesday after several pilots reported sick on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest against their new duty hours.

A shortage of Boeing 737 commanders added to the chaos as flights were disrupted. Senior company executives however deny claims of shortage.

Last month the airline introduced a new software to optimise duty rosters of pilots on trial basis. The new system was introduced to improve efficiency and productivity and takes into account pilot's duty time restrictions as per regulations and leaves. However pilots are unhappy with this.

"The new system does not take into account human factors. Pilots are being rostered for consecutive late night or early morning flights. This may be within rules but does lead to fatigue. Also in the new roster pilots are operating flights from outstation bases for 4-5 days at a stretch," a senior commander remarked.

The union submitted 13 points related to "human factors" while expressing concern regarding the new rostering software. The next roster will be prepared taking into account recommendations of pilots, sources said.

For some months the airline has been facing a shortage of pilots. "While there is a published duty roster for the month certain flights are open and pilots are asked to do them at short notice," a pilot complained.

According to a PTI report, Jet Airways requires at least 200 more pilots to carry out its operations in a seamless manner, the source said, adding "shortage is more in narrow body, Boeing 737 fleet." 

The airline currently has around 1,200 pilots to operate its fleet of 102 aircraft comprisingBoeing 777s, B737s, Airbus A330s and ATRs. Almost two-thirds of its fleet consists of B737s. 

However a management source said the airlinr has 350 pilots under various levels of training and has no shortage.