The Government is contemplating to examine the Jet Airways’ eligibility to fly internationally, Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said on Wednesday.
The airline is presently flying less than 15 planes only. They (ministry) are examining the issue of eligibility of the airline to operate international flights, Mr Kharola said on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, a DGCA official said the debt-ridden airline is operating 28 aircraft as on date.
Later, reacting on Mr Kharola’s statement, the Jet Airways said the airline is following all guidelines and is operating a curtailed schedule with enough planes.
“As informed to the regulator (DGCA), the airline is operating a curtailed schedule with sufficient number of aircraft, and is compliant with applicable guidelines,” the airline said in a statement here.
On Tuesday, the Jet Airways has informed the BSE that an additional 15 planes have been grounded due to non-payment of amounts outstanding to lessors under their respective lease agreements.
The Jet Airways has around 119 aircraft in its fleet. The airline has been grounding its aircraft in tranches due to lease rental defaults. It also owes months’ long salaries to its pilots and crew.
An airline needs to fly more than 20 aircraft to get the permission to operate internationally. However, the Jet Airways has the permission but is now lacking of aircraft number due to non-payment of lease renewals.
On 25 March, Jet Airways’ board has approved a resolution plan under which SBI and other banks has taken control of the airline and decided to infuse a capital of Rs Rs 1,500 crore.
On the Election Commission notice to the state-own airline Air India over the violation of the model code of conduct, Mr Kharola said they have withdrawn the boarding pass and action would be taken against the guilty.
Earlier, the Election Commission has written to Mr Kharola and Railway Board chairman V K Yadav over the ‘non compliance of lawful instructions and lackadaisical approach towards enforcing the model code of conduct’. (UNI)
