Malaysia Airline pilots are demanding a pay rise of up to 60 percent, warning the national carrier it may lose pilots if it fails to comply, reports said today.

The Malaysia Airlines Pilots Association (MAPA), which has some 1,200 members, rejected the airline's offer of a 25 percent hike in salary during a special meeting Thursday, the Malay Mail newspaper said.

The pilots are seeking between 40 and 60 percent increases in basic pay, a 100 percent increase in productivity pay and better perks, the daily said.

A spokesman for the airline declined to comment, saying negotiations were ongoing. MAPA officials could not be reached for comments.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying that MAPA unanimously rejected the 25 percent salary increase offer as it came with several conditions, including downgrading an annual first-class free flight and hotel stay for captains and their families.

"The pilots are not willing to forego what little perks they enjoy just for a nominal pay increase which still cannot match what the other airlines are offering," a source said.

Since November 2003, the carrier has lost 81 pilots, including 50 captains, the daily said, putting a strain on remaining staff who are now hitting the maximum flying hours permitted.

"As a result, flights are being delayed almost every day. The situation will get worse if more pilots start leaving," the source said.

The New Straits Times said Malaysian pilots earn between RM9,000 and RM20,000 a month. It said some Middle Eastern airlines were recently luring pilots from the region with monthly salaries of up to RM40,000.