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Jet Airways pilots call for Indian PM to intervene as airline grounds all international flights

Pilots at the troubled airline Jet Airways are protesting outside their company headquarters as the carrier announced it was grounding all international flights.

Employees of the Indian carrier, which is straddling a debt pile of more than £900m, gathered outside its headquarters and demanded that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, intervene.

One pilot told the BBC: "We haven’t been paid for the last four months. It’s been a really difficult period. Many people here are the sole breadwinners for their families. We’re hoping the lenders would agree to give money to keep the airline going."

Another said: "Most of us have mortgaged/EMIs to pay. We also have to pay for our children’s education. If the airline shuts down it will be very difficult to find a job in this market. We request Modi to intervene and rescue the airline."

Read more: Indian airline Jet Airways grounds international flights as money woes grow

Jet Airways is currently engaged in talks with lenders to try to keep the struggling airline afloat. 

In a statement, Jet Airways said it has cancelled all international flights until 18 April.

"The airline is working to minimise guest inconvenience using its 24×7 contact centre, guest relations and the social media response teams, to handle schedule adjustments, in line with defined regulatory guidelines, including offering re-accommodation choices or extending applicable refunds as the situation warrants.

"In parallel, the airline’s management and its key stakeholders including its consortium of lenders, continue to work closely towards resolving the current situation.

Read more: Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal to stand down from board

"The airline regrets the inconvenience caused to its guests."

Late last month Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal announced he would step down from the board of the Indian airline as well as reducing his stake in the carrier.