Jet Airways’ management on Tuesday, 26 March, informed the Civil Aviation Ministry that it would fly 40 more aircraft by April end and also assured that it would not ground any more aircraft, Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said.
“As per plan the given by Jet Airways, they’re hopeful that by the end of next month, they would be able to fly about 40 more planes. If this happens, it comes to about 80 percent capacity,” Kharola said adding that at present Jet is flying 35 planes.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of Jet Airways’ founder Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita Goyal stepping down from the airline’s board to allow the board to move ahead with a debt recast plan for rescuing the airline.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the State Bank of India, Jet and DGCA.
Kharola also said the financial part of the problem at the airline is being handled by the lenders led by the SBI and the Ministry is only looking at the passenger safety aspects so that they don't have to face any hardship.
He also said the government is also keeping a close watch on the airfares and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has suggested to the airlines not to resort to predatory pricing.
Earlier on Monday, SBI agreed to infuse Rs 1,500 crore into Jet Airways’ via debt for nearly two months.
The airlines owes Rs 8,000 crore to the SBI-led lenders consortium.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS)
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