Is cutting pilot salary to curb costs a right move for SpiceJet?

SpiceJet has put around 80 pilots on leave without pay for three months to cut costs. A source close to the airline said that around 70-80 pilots from the Boeing 737 fleet and the Bombardier Q400 fleet have been put on leave. It is a matter of concern and has impacted the morale of the employees at the airline. The airline said that this is a temporary measure that will help the airline to rationalise pilot strength as per the aircraft fleet. Currently, SpiceJet is flying at only 50% of its capacity as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s orders. As per