The future of grounded Jet Airways still hangs in the air as the validity of the Air Operator’s Certificate of the airline is set to expire on Friday (April 19). The Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) of the airline was revalidated for a period of one year on May 20 last year and its validity expired on Friday. Airlines have not operated since April 18, 2019.
There was no word on the status of the airline’s flight permit from Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC), which emerged as the winning bidder for the carrier under insolvency resolution proceedings.
However, it was not immediately known whether the consortium has sought any exemption from aviation regulator DGCA with regard to AOC, which is the most important requirement for the airline to operate.
A query sent to JKC board member Ankit Jalan whether the consortium has sought renewal of the AOC remained unanswered. The ownership transfer of Jet Airways to JKC is yet to happen amid ongoing differences with the airline’s lenders.
Debt-ridden Jet Airways, which flew for 25 years, ceased operations on April 18, 2019. The carrier’s insolvency resolution process began in June 2019 and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved a resolution plan submitted by JKC in June. 2021.
Last week, the consortium reportedly approached the NCLT seeking more time to pay creditors and implement the revival plan.
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