Jet Airways cancelled some 170 flights Friday but also started booking tickets for travel from Sep 13.

Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP from Maharashtra Sanjay Nirupam, who were among those who sought to mediate between the two sides, said late Thursday that the impasse would end within 48 hours.

In the four days since the pilots started their mass sick leave, over 850 flights have been cancelled and inconvenienced several thousand passengers, especially during its first two days.

The Jet Airways management moved the Bombay High Court, which passed an order Wednesday restraining the pilots from resorting to any form of agitation pending its final order.

Subsequently, the airline also filed a contempt petition, which is slated to be heard Monday.

The Jet Airways management as also some sections of the employees have been asking the pilots to hold talks to resolve matters rather than abstaining from work - but with little luck so far.

'We're going through a recession. Our salaries will be delayed due to the strike as the airline is already undergoing losses,' said Jagjeet Kaur, a customer care executive with the carrier.

Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal had earlier said the pilots were behaving like 'terrorists' and warned of stern action if their stir persisted. At the same time, he offered to hold talks with them.

The government also sought to intervene in a limited manner when Home Secretary G.K. Pillai asked the states to examine if they can invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act.