Pilots mass leave illegal; HC restrains any kind of strike: Jet

Stung by more than half of its pilots taking mass sick leave that forced cancellation of about 190 flights by 1400 hrs, Jet Airways today termed the agitation as illegal and secured a restrain order from Bombay High Court against any strike.

"The Bombay High Court has passed an order restraining any kind of strike," Jet CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer told PTI on phone and added that all possible efforts were being taken to save passengers from inconvenience and restore normalcy.

As many as 156 domestic and 32 international flights were cancelled by 1400 hrs, he said, adding that the airline operates a total of 380 flights a day including 80 overseas.

"We were assured by the National Aviators Guild last night that there would be no strike and we went by this assurance. But, we were shocked by the mass sick leave by about 360 pilots... It is nothing but a simulated strike," he said.

The Jet pilots have been protesting the sacking of two of their colleagues by the management for reportedly joining the guild.

Asked what action the management would take against the striking pilots and if the two sacked pilots could be reinstated, Prock-Shauer said: "The matter is on in the Labour Commission and we would not like to comment."