Jet Airways receives crucial support from DGCA as it secures renewed Air Operator Certificate.
- DGCA renews Jet Airways' air operator certificate, bolstering hopes for the airline's comeback.
- The renewal comes after legal challenges and leadership upheavals raised concerns about the airline's future.
- Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, Jet's parent company, expresses commitment to reviving the grounded carrier.
NEW DELHI — Once India's premier private airline, Jet Airways is now on the cusp of a major comeback as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) greenlit the renewal of its air operator certificate. This development, announced on 28 July by the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, Jet Airways' parent entity, underlines a renewed belief in the airline's potential return to the skies.
Jet Airways found itself grounded following a severe financial crunch in 2019. However, hope for the airline's revival was reignited when, in June 2021, a recovery strategy presented by the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium - a collaborative venture between mogul Murari Lal Jalan and Kalrock Capital - secured court backing. By May of the following year, the beleaguered airline had regained its air operator certificate from Indian regulators.
Yet, challenges persisted. Reports suggested that legal tussles between Jet Airways' new owners and its creditors, concerning the proposed recovery plan, led to multiple postponements in the airline's relaunch operations. This made the path to a successful comeback fraught with uncertainty.
Adding to these complexities, the abrupt exit of CEO-designate Sanjiv Kapoor in May raised more questions about the airline's future trajectory. While the search for Kapoor’s successor remains ongoing, the consortium took decisive action by fortifying its board of directors and appointing a fresh finance chief for the airline.
In their latest communication, the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium has voiced unwavering determination in their quest to breathe new life into Jet Airways. Emphasizing their collaborative approach, the consortium highlighted plans to work diligently alongside all relevant agencies, industry associates, and key stakeholders to chart a course for Jet Airways' resurgence in the coming weeks.