Amid Lockdown, GoAir Asks Employees to go on Leave Without Pay Till May 3

Notably, the lockdown which was first imposed on March 25, was to end on April 14 but to combat the spread of coronavirus pandemic, the Narendra Modi-led government extended the restrictions till May 3.

New Delhi: GoAir, the Wadia Group-owned airline has asked its employees to go on leave without pay (LWP) on a rotational basis till May 3 as its entire fleet remains grounded in the wake of the extended lockdown.

Notably, the lockdown which was first imposed on March 25, was to end on April 14 but to combat the spread of coronavirus pandemic, the Narendra Modi-led government extended the restrictions till May 3.

In a communication to its employees, the airline said,”The lockdown has been further extended till May 3, and with this extension, our fleet continues to be completely grounded. Hence, we are constrained to request you to proceed on ‘leave without pay’ till May 3.”

“We may, however, have to extend the period of ‘leave without pay’ for further term, if so required,” the airline said, adding that it is working towards building its ability to scale up operations in the new environment and market conditions that would emerge going forward.

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Speaking to PTI, an official informed that about 10 per cent of the 5,500-odd employees, who are crucial for certain tasks even when there is no operation, continue to work and will be paid partial salary.

“We are hopeful that the skies will reopen from May 4 and we will resume operations in a phased manner”, he added.

The aviation sector is among the worst-affected sectors amidst the COVID-19 crisis as all domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended ever since the country imposed lockdown. However, cargo flights, offshore helicopter operations, medical evacuation flights and special flights permitted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are allowed to operate during the shutdown period.

Reports had earlier claimed that the government might grant relaxation to aviation sector during the second phase of lockdown. However, the reports were dismissed by Union Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri yesterday.

“The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations. Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government”, tweeted Puri.