Dragon all expat recruitment has stopped. This was confirmed by a press statement in the Indian press by Jet Airways CEO. In short they are cutting back on everything that is in USD including expats.
Jet are getting hit on all sides, in the domestic by IndiGo, international by the Middle East and European Carriers. Then the currency fluctuations.
To cap it all of they operate in one of the words most corrupt and inefficient countries.... No wonder they struggle!
"Nikos Kardassis, chief executive officer, said: "We are freezing all non-rupee expenses, including those on hiring of expat pilots and foreign advertising."
Alongside the depreciating rupee, passenger numbers on Indian airlines have dropped due to tougher competition from budget airlines.
One expat pilot, who recently left India after a four-year stint working for Kingfisher Airlines, said: "Indian airlines have a pretty bad reputation for surly service, flight delays and for going on strike over wages. It is a hard environment to work in as a foreign pilot and many feel justified in asking for higher salaries.
"The Indian airline industry is in crisis at the moment so it needs to think of ways to save money but I don't think axing foreign pilots is the answer. India needs to invest money in building up its carriers so they become national symbols of good service and flying."
He pointed to Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airlines as world-class national carriers that have global reputations and are profit-making."
Last edited by PT6A; 15th May 2012 at 12:22.