Jet Airways’ pilots body urges SBI to clear salaries, dues at earliest

Jet Airways' Committee of Creditors to meet on Thursday

Assuring its commitment towards the Jet Airways in taking the airline to the road of recovery, its pilots body National Aviators Guild on Tuesday petitioned State Bank of India chairman Rajnish Kumar to release their pending salaries at the earliest.

“It is our humble request to you to alleviate some of the hardships that we and the AMEs have been facing by ensuring that the Jet Airways management does not further delay the release of our pending salaries and clears our dues at the earliest,” body general Secretary Capt Tej Sood said in a letter to the SBI chairman.

SBI is the main lendor among 26 banks that have given loans to the saddled airline Jet Airways.

On Monday, Jet Airways founder and chairman Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita Goyal had tendered their resignations as directors from the Board. According to the new resolution plans, Rs 1500 crore would be infused in the airline to normalize its operations.

With the new loan of Rs 1500 crore, the total loan amount of the Jet Airways is more than Rs 9,700 crore. Under the resolution plan, the banks would convert the total debt into equity worth 50.1 per cent at a price of Re 1.

The pilots body also sought time to meet the SBI chairman to discuss the resolution plan.

“We would also be grateful if you could spare us some time from your busy schedule to meet our Representatives to give us an idea of the roadmap to recovery. This will help us in rebuilding confidence amongst our pilots and reassuring them that the uncertainty is behind us,” the letter said.

The NAG, however, assured the bank chairman of its continued support. It said pilots remain committed to the airline and would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the carrier returns to its former glory.  (UNI)