Private airlines’ mgmt has to take steps: Prabhu

Virtually ruling out the possibility of a bailout package for Jet Airways, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said it was up to private airlines' boards and managements to ensure that they functioned properly.

Virtually ruling out the possibility of a bailout package for crisis-hit Jet Airways, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday said it was for private airlines’ boards and managements to ensure that they function properly and take appropriate measures depending on prevailing market conditions.

The civil aviation ministry has also decided not to intervene with respect to Jet Airways’ request seeking more time for making payments to airport operators, according to a senior official.

Jet Airways has been grappling with financial woes that has also resulted in the full-service carrier delaying payment of salaries to staff, including pilots. The airline posted a loss of ~12.6 billion in the three months ended September. Responding to queries related to Jet Airways, including possible bailout package, Prabhu said that in a deregulated atmosphere, the ministry’s endeavour is to deal with sector-specific issues.

“For a private airline, it is for the board of directors and their management to ensure that the airline functions properly, that (they) have to take appropriate measures depending upon market conditions that will prevail from time to time,” the minister said without directly mentioning

Jet Airways.