Jet board meet inconclusive, airline awaits lenders’ decision

Mumbai: Financially-challenged Jet Airways’ Board meeting here on Tuesday ended inconclusively as the airline awaits the lenders’ decision on its plea for interim funds to stay aloft, sources said.

A day before, the financially-struggling airline presented a plan for interim funding to its lenders.

“The Board meet was inconclusive. We are awaiting for the lenders reply. It is of paramount importance that we receive a clarity on interim funding,” an airline source told IANS here.

The development assumes significance as the airline has almost run out of funds to pay for fuel and other operational expenses.

Industry insiders says that without extra funds, the airline might have to temporarily suspend operations.

It has folded up most operations due to grounding of over 80 per cent of its fleet by lessors, and is running just 7 aircraft, barely enough to save its air operating permit.

Awaiting the outcome of lenders’ meet with the government, the cash-starved airline has extended cancellation of international flights till April 18 (Thursday) after last week suspending them till April 15 (Monday).

Airlines CEO Vinay Dube wrote to staff, saying the management would seek guidance from the board on the next steps.

In his message, he said the airline has been working with lenders to secure interim funding for its operations. “The interim funding has not been forthcoming thus far and as a result of which we have extended cancellation of international operations through Thursday, April 19,” he wrote.

“We will keep you updated on all critical developments,” he added.

Late on Monday evening, the State Bank of India (SBI), which leads the consortium of Jet’s lenders, said merchant banker SBI Caps’ legal team was working on the expressions of interest (EoIs) received from investors, and bidders will be selected soon.

“The proposed equity conversion by banks, if any, will be undertaken as a transitory mechanism to facilitate the bidding-cum-sale process,” the SBI said in a statement.

SBI Caps is acting on behalf of the group of lenders as part of the bank-led resolution process. Necessary support to facilitate the process is being extended by other banks in the consortium.

“Cooperation and support from all other stakeholders will be the key to success of the process,” the SBI said.

Even the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started giving the airline’s slots to other carriers suggesting Jet’s closure is just a matter of time.

IANS