NEW DELHI: Jet Airways has started sending its pilots - most likely only the expats - on furloughs, or leaves without pay. Expat pilots cost nearly twice as much as their Indian counterparts as they have to be given accommodation and flight tickets to their home country every few weeks. Since Jet is now operating 35 of its once-upon-a-time fleet of 124 planes, the lender-led management has begun cutting this extra cost. The airline is trying to take this number to 75 by April 26, still leaving it pilot surplus .Sources say only expat pilots are being sent on furlough. Despite repeated attempts, Jet did not comment on how many expats it has and if the offer is being made to them only."Due to the reduced network and fleet plan, the company's pilot requirements on your fleet have reduced and your services will not be required… as an interim arrangement, we are offering furlough to pilots. Accordingly, we hereby offer you furlough of your employment with effect from April 01, 2019 till further notice," a letter issued to an expat pilot of Boeing 737 on Thursday said."Please consider this letter as notice to furlough your employment with us. We will periodically assess pilot requirements and advise you accordingly," it adds. During the furlough, pilots will not not receive salary, any other monetary benefit, accommodation and medical insurance."However, you will continue to be eligible for free passages as per the prevailing staff travel policy of the company. You shall maintain recency / validity of your licenses / medical during the period of furlough. In case your employment contract ceases during the term of this furlough arrangement, the furlough arrangement contemplated herein shall automatically come to an end on the date of cessation of the employment contract," the letter says.In the last two months, Jet has seen several of its pilots leave. They along with aircraft engineers and senior management are awaiting payment of last three to four months' salaries.Expat pilots have always been a touchy issue in almost all Indian carriers. Last August when Jet had proposed 15 per cent pay cut for pilots, the airline had even then issued ad to hire expats. When Indian pilots questioned the move of cutting their salaries yet continuing to hire expats, the then management had said salary of expat pilots would also be deducted. The salary deduction move did not happen and the airline later was not in a position to pay salaries to the level of employees with big pay packages.