Meanwhile, a contempt petition has been filed against the striking pilots for defying the Bombay High Court ruling asking them not to halt work.

According to a Jet Airways spokesperson, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud of the Bombay High Court has directed a contempt notice to be issued to the National Aviators Guild (NAG), of which the striking pilots are members. It will be heard here Monday.

The management action came after talks between the pilots and the management failed to resolve the crisis late Wednesday night and the deadlock continued. The striking pilots are demanding re-instatement of their sacked colleagues.

'We and our boys are only fighting for our constitutional rights. We are so disgusted about the whole issue. No one is helping us,' NAG president Girish Kaushik told IANS.

'I am afraid they may book us under TADA,' said Kaushik, referring to the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.

The Jet management is insisting that the pilots who reported sick and went on mass leave should provide medical certificates.