Jet pilots to meet to decide future course of action

New Delhi/Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Jet Airways pilots' union will meet in Mumbai and Delhi to chart out their future course of action regarding non-payment of salaries.

The National Aviators Guild will hold meetings in Mumbai on Tuesday and in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss ways in which to deal with the present situation.

The meetings come a day after Jet Founder and Chairman Naresh Goyal appealed to employees to remain patient and give the resolution process some time to complete.

"I am fully aware of the hardships each of you are undergoing owing to the stretched-out ongoing dialogue and deeply, most sincerely appreciate your patience, perseverance and your incredible dedication and loyalty," he said in an email to employees on Monday.

"I would like to specifically thank our Pilots, Engineers and management for bearing with us during this trying time with delayed salary payments.

"Let me once more assure you that I am fully committed to ensure that your deferred salary dues are cleared on priority once all parties sign off on the Resolution Plan and I recommit to you my best and most strenuous efforts 24x7 towards this end."

Jet Airways is been in a tight spot financially even as a rescue plan is being negotiated between the airline, its partner Etihad and a consortium of banks.

The Jet Airways board had on February 14 approved a resolution plan, as per which the lenders, led by the State Bank of India (SBI), would become the largest shareholders in the airline by converting the airline's debt into equity at a nominal price of Re 1.

The bailout plan was approved by the shareholders on February 21.