Pilots are back in the sky flying Jet Airways planes today. A five day strike came to an end over the weekend, leaving many across India grounded.

The pilots repeatedly called in sick, protesting against airline management who suspended four pilots for forming a union.

[Saroj Dutta, Executive Director, Jet Airways]:
"As I have said in the press conference that there was some cost saving as well that includes actual cost of operating fuel, landing and parking of aircraft, that we didn't have to pay. We don't know how much the
cost is exactly. The calculations are not complete as of yet. After that we'll come to know about the actual loss. It is somewhat around 150 -200 crores (1.5 to 2 million rupees)."

Now normal operations have returned to the airway.

[Saroj Dutta, Executive Director, Jet Airways]:
"Slowly pilots have started reporting back to work slowly whatever needs to be done will be done and the four pilots whose services were terminated are reinstated back. A letter will be issued to reinstate them and a consultative body has been set up."

More than half the carrier's 760 pilots called in since Tuesday the 8th, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and affecting thousands of passengers.

The standoff ended after talks between the two sides late on Saturday.

The dispute was seen as an example of the country’s touchy labor relations. The labor laws place many limits on hiring and conditions for retrenchment, hurting competitiveness and leading to worker unrest.