GoAir has terminated contracts of expat pilots amid curtailed operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a report published in Economic Times, GoAir on Wednesday said it has terminated contracts of expat pilots amid curtailed operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Citing an “unprecedented” decline in air travel, the budget carrier, on Tuesday, announced suspending international operations and offering leave without pay program for its staff on a rotational basis.
GoAir spokesperson said in a statement, “In view of the current situation, GoAir has been forced to terminate the contracts of expat pilots which is in line with the reduced international capacity.”
“GoAir is forced to temporarily suspend all its international operations (Dammam, Kuwait, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok, Phuket, and Male) starting March 17 until April 15. No sooner the situation improves, GoAir will reinstate these flights and operate at the earliest opportunity,” the statement said.
However, the spokesperson did not respond to a query on the number of expat pilots whose contracts have been terminated. According to media sources, it has around 80 expat pilots.
It also said that airlines across the world have taken drastic measures to handle this “extraordinary situation”, referring to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, the government prohibited the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31, as part of travel restrictions to curb the spreading of coronavirus infections.
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