Planes grounded, Jet Airways sends expat pilots on leave without pay

Jet AirwaysNSE -0.15 % has started sending its pilots – most likely only the expats – on furloughs, or leaves without pay. Expat pilots cost nearly twice as much as their Indian counterparts as they have to be given accommodation and flight tickets to their home country every few weeks. Since Jet is now operating 35 of its once-upon-a-time fleet of 124 planes, the lender-led management has begun cutting this extra cost. The airline is trying to take this number to 75 by April 26, still leaving it pilot surplus.

Sources say only expat pilots are being sent on furlough. Despite repeated attempts, Jet did not comment on how many expats it has and if the offer is being made to them only.