New Delhi: Around 260 pilots from Jet Airways have now applied to join SpiceJet airlines amid the financial crisis that has racked Jet in the recent times. Public sector banks have been busy trying to rescue the airline company but to no avail. The incident came to light after several pilots from JetAirways started applying for jobs in the open interview sessions held by SpiceJet in Mumbai on Wednesday. 

Both airlines operate Boeing jets and this commonality has attracted pilots to apply for jobs at Spice Jet. A source said "out of the 260 pilots opting to join SpiceJet, 150 are senior commanders". With 1900 pilots on their current role, several domestic airlines are looking to poach pilots and co-pilots.

According to an earlier report published by Indo Asian News Service (IANS), poaching of commanders and co-pilots had been done before by offering them stable jobs and lucrative monthly pay. 

Also read: Cash-strapped Jet Airways cancels flights as pilots call in ‘sick’ amid salary defaults

According to sources from within the airline industry, up to 50 jets have been grounded by the lessors and offered up for dry lease as they have not been paid their dues. After SpiceJet having to ground 12 of its Boeing 737 Max aircrafts due to safety regulations issued by the government, this development has been recieved positively.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said that only 41 of JetAirway's flights are operating and there might be further cuts in the fleet size as well as flights ahead. 

Amid speculations that an Indian suitor is being looked at to save JetAirways from its crisis, government officials and public banks met finance minister Arun Jaitley in Mumbai to discuss the future of the airlines. These speculations have cropped up after Etihad reportedly refused to provide funds to the cash strapped airlines.

Observers are speculating the role of Tata Group, Air India and Spice Group's Ajay Singh in helping JetAirways. As Tata is already invested in Vistara and AirAsia and Air India dealing with it's own financial troubles, Ajay Singh could be the hope for Jet. Singh has already once been credited with saving SpiceJet from collapsing.

Nripendra Mishra, principal secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, with State Bank of India chairman Rajnish Kumar and Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Karola had a meeting with Arun Jaitley in order to revive the grounded fleet.

On Tuesday the Jet Airways Pilots' Association had threatened to stop flying from April 1, unless they were given full clarity on the resolution and revival plan on March 31.