Strike action between pilots and India’s Jet Airways management has been called off, the airline said yesterday.

More than half of the airline’s 760 pilots, banned from striking without notifying the airline’s management ahead of time, had called in sick since Tuesday, causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights that affected thousands of passengers.

The pilots claim to have gone on mass leave following the sacking of four colleagues who were trying to get the management to recognise their newly formed union.

The dispute ended following discussions between the two sides on Saturday, and the executive director will issue a statement, the airline said.

A spokesman for the airline, Ragini Chopra said that all that he could say is that there is no union and that there would be an internal inquiry.

He added that an internal committee would comprise of the management and pilots.

The dispute has been seen as an example of sensitive work relations in a country where strict labour laws place many limits on hiring and conditions for retrenchment, hurting competitiveness and leading to worker unrest.

The Jet Airways pilots union, the National Aviators Guild could not be reached for comment.

The airline has said that the four pilots were sacked for indiscipline and were behind the simulated strike.

Most Indian airlines do not have a workers union and experts warn that the unrest at Jet Airways could be seen in other airlines.