Contract pilots are a smarter decision right now and can fly as needed. By working under contract for the company they can do the same thing and are equally as qualified.
Many huge businesses do this not just during startup but as a constant way to keep costs down. I don't for see Baltia not adding to the Payroll upon certification, until then this is a cost saving move.
Intel is a well known, huge international company known for cutting from its payroll to move them to contracts to save money, and they are making just fine. I suspect Baltia will in the future also.