Jet Airways to consult pilots' union on duty hours

Last month, the airline introduced a new software to optimise duty rosters of pilots on trial basis

Jet Airways will prepare crew’s duty rosters in consultation with the pilots’ union. This was agreed between the pilots’ union and the airline management on Wednesday, after protests by pilots on Tuesday and Wednesday against the new duty hours.

Several pilots called in sick and others refused to accept the revised flight duties (due to colleagues’ sick leaves) causing disruption. A shortage of Boeing 737 commanders added to the chaos as flights were disrupted.

Jet Airways, however, denied there was shortage of pilots. In a statement, the company said: “The airline has adequate pilots to manage its operations and follows a structured plan for recruitment, induction, training of new pilots as well as grooming and upgrading internal candidates eligible for Captaincy, based on future projections.”

Last month, the airline introduced a new software to optimise duty rosters of pilots on a trial basis. The new system was introduced to improve efficiency and productivity. It takes into account pilots’ duty time restrictions according to 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 noted.

He also stated the crew rostering software was fully compliant not only with DGCA regulations, but also internal company limitations that provide a buffer to the DGCA limits.

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

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