37thousandfeet
25th Nov 2010, 02:08
Jet Airways, India’s largest private carrier by market share, is turning to its rival Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/kingfisher-airlines/stocks/companyid-276.cms) 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 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jet-airways/stocks/companyid-4374.cms) 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.
“How can we allow pilots to come and fly with us when our own pilots are not given their due, are not promoted and the salaries have not been reinstated post the revival,” said a disgruntled pilot, who did not wish to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Poaching is difficult in the aviation industry as a no-objection-certificate is required from the airline from where the hiring is being made.
Jet Airways plans to hire more pilots due to a robust growth in demand for air travel after a lull of three years. Air travel is set to grow by 20-25% in the year ending March 31, 2011, according to industry estimates. The airline is also increasing its international routes.
Jet Airways, with a market share of 26.2% (October figures), is currently the leader followed by Kingfisher Airlines with a 19% share.
But the aviation industry’s manpower resources have not kept pace with its growth, especially in the case of pilots as they need to be trained and should have a certain number of flying hours in their kitty before they can be recruited.
Given this, Jet Airways had no choice but to ‘poach’ from its rival, in particular, national carrier Air India and Kingfisher Airlines, said persons close to the company.
The move is also necessitated by the fact that the airline is thinking of using a bigger aircraft, the A330 as opposed to smaller Boeing 737 for some of its slots in the Mumbai-Delhi route.
According to industry experts, it makes sense for Jet to hire pilots from Kingfisher, which flies Airbus A320s on domestic routes, to fly Jet’s A330s, as it just requires a week’s training for the transition.
According to industry executives, the airline may add 100 more pilots by the year-end, but Jet’s management in a meeting on November 14 with its pilot representatives suggested that it might look to hire some 300 more commanders (pilots with 3,000 hours of flying experience) over the next three years.
In their response, Jet Airways stated that the hiring will depend on the capacity the airline plans to add. It did not give any number.
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 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jet-airways/stocks/companyid-4374.cms) 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.
“How can we allow pilots to come and fly with us when our own pilots are not given their due, are not promoted and the salaries have not been reinstated post the revival,” said a disgruntled pilot, who did not wish to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Poaching is difficult in the aviation industry as a no-objection-certificate is required from the airline from where the hiring is being made.
Jet Airways plans to hire more pilots due to a robust growth in demand for air travel after a lull of three years. Air travel is set to grow by 20-25% in the year ending March 31, 2011, according to industry estimates. The airline is also increasing its international routes.
Jet Airways, with a market share of 26.2% (October figures), is currently the leader followed by Kingfisher Airlines with a 19% share.
But the aviation industry’s manpower resources have not kept pace with its growth, especially in the case of pilots as they need to be trained and should have a certain number of flying hours in their kitty before they can be recruited.
Given this, Jet Airways had no choice but to ‘poach’ from its rival, in particular, national carrier Air India and Kingfisher Airlines, said persons close to the company.
The move is also necessitated by the fact that the airline is thinking of using a bigger aircraft, the A330 as opposed to smaller Boeing 737 for some of its slots in the Mumbai-Delhi route.
According to industry experts, it makes sense for Jet to hire pilots from Kingfisher, which flies Airbus A320s on domestic routes, to fly Jet’s A330s, as it just requires a week’s training for the transition.
According to industry executives, the airline may add 100 more pilots by the year-end, but Jet’s management in a meeting on November 14 with its pilot representatives suggested that it might look to hire some 300 more commanders (pilots with 3,000 hours of flying experience) over the next three years.
In their response, Jet Airways stated that the hiring will depend on the capacity the airline plans to add. It did not give any number.