Making it probably the smallest operating pan-India airline, debt-struck Jet Airways is currently operating on less than 15 aircraft, news agency PTI reported citing Civil Aviation Secretary P S Kharola. It comes a day after cash-strapped airline grounded fifteen more aircraft due to non-payment of lease rentals. The Civil Aviation Secretary said the current fleet “would be less than about 15”.
Ending December 2018, Jet Airways had 35 aircraft, down 70 per cent from its operational fleet of 119 at the end of December 2018. In the last few weeks, the airline has been grounding its planes in tranches due to non-payment of dues to the lessor.
On the issues related to funding, PTI reported secretary as saying, “The issue is between bankers and Jet management. So they are discussing with each other.” Last month, the SBI-led consortium of lenders had taken over the management of the cash-hit company, coming up with a revival plan.
