India’s Jet set for return to skies

UAE-based investor confident about launching domestic services early 2022

India’s Jet Airways — now owned by a UAE-based investor — will resume domestic operations in the first quarter of 2022, with an inaugural flight from Delhi to Mumbai. The process of reviving the grounded carrier is on track with the existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) under process for revalidation.

The Jalan-Kalrock consortium, the new owners of the airline, said it was “working closely” with the relevant authorities and airport coordinators on slot allocation, required airport infrastructure, and night parking. “Jet Airways 2.0 aims at restarting domestic operations by Q1-2022 and short haul international operations by Q3/Q4 of 2022,” said Murari Lal Jalan, Lead Member of the Jalan Kalrock Consortium and the proposed non-Executive Chairman of Jet Airways.

Major plans

“Our plan is to have 50 plus aircraft in three years and 100 plus in five years, which also fits perfectly well with the shortterm and long-term business plan of the consortium.”

The revival plan for Jet Airways is being implemented as approved by NCLT (National

Company Law Tribunal) and all the creditors will be settled as per the plan in the coming months, said the statement.

Jet Airways will be headquartered in Delhi NCR region with its senior management working from the corporate office at Gurugram. The airline will continue to have strong and significant presence in Mumbai.

Jet Airways has already hired over 150 full time employees on its payroll and is looking to onboard another 1,000 employees across different departments. “The hiring will be in a phased manner and will be strictly on merit, to meet the operational requirements of the airline,” said Sudhir Gaur, Acting CEO of Jet Airways.