Cash-strapped Jet Airways operating 28 planes: DGCA

New Delhi: Aviation regulator DGCA on Wednesday said cash-strapped carrier Jet Airways is now operating 28 aircraft, a reduction from the 41 aircraft it was operating a fortnight ago. The DGCA’s confirmation sought to clear confusion over exactly how many aircraft the airline was operating currently.

The DGCA’s confirmation also sought to clear confusion after some reports quoted a senior government official as indicating that the number of aircraft being operated by the airline may have come down to less than 15. This had earlier led to speculation of a possible review of the airline’s international operations.

Jet Airways had reportedly informed the stock exchanges that about grounding of another 15 of its aircraft due to non-payment of amounts outstanding to lessors but the DGCA on Wednesday said these 15 aircraft were “already accounted for and was only informed to the Stock exchange by Jet Airways yesterday (Tuesday)”.

“Jet Airways continues to fly 28 aircraft as on date. The 15 aircraft reported (to be grounded) is already accounted for and was only informed to the stock exchange by Jet Airways yesterday,” senior DGCA sources said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the financially-ailing airline issued a statement on Wednesday, saying, “Jet Airways would like to clarify certain speculative media reports with regard to the airline’s ability to operate on international routes. As informed to the regulator (DGCA), the airline is operating a curtailed schedule with sufficient number of aircraft, and is compliant with applicable guidelines.”

Amid concerns over the poor financial situation of private carrier Jet Airways and reports of return of several of its aircraft to lessors and cancellation of a large number of flights, the DGCA had warned a fortnight ago on March 19 that that “there may be further attrition in coming weeks”.