50 Kingfisher pilots quit to join rival Jet Airways

Mumbai: Jet Airways, India’s largest private carrier by market share, is turning to its rival Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines to overcome a shortage of pilots.
The Naresh Goyal-controlled airline recently hired so-called benched pilots — those on the rolls of the airline but whose services are not being utilised because of a lack of demand — around 50 in number, from Kingfisher Airlines as co-pilots. The first batch of 29 have joined. The airline also plans to hire some experienced pilots as commanders — fliers in charge of the airline — from the competitor.
Responding to an email, Jet Airways denied recruiting pilots from Kingfisher. But the latter confirmed the development, saying the exit was amicable. “It (Kingfisher Airlines) has let these pilots off voluntarily as the airline did not have any immediate need for them.” The airline also confirmed the number of pilots sent.
But Jet Airways may face opposition from within. The airline plans to hold a meeting, on November 30, with its pilots to discuss the new recruitments. The meeting could be stormy and many incumbent pilots are likely to oppose the induction of pilots from Kingfisher, according to people close to the development.
25/11/10 Manisha Singhal/Economic Times

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Categories: Jet Airways Nov 2010, Kingfisher Nov 2010