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Jet Airways operating just 9 aircraft; Suresh Prabhu orders review

Jet Airways now owes over Rs 3,500 crore to passengers on account of cancellations

[File] Suresh Prabhu | Sanjay Ahlawat

Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday directed Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola to review issues concerning Jet Airways, which has been operating with less than 10 planes.

"Directed Secretary MoCA to review issues related to Jet Airways. Asked him to take necessary steps to minimise passenger inconvenience and ensure their safety," Prabhu tweeted on Friday morning.

According to industry sources, Jet Airways will operate only nine planes—two Boeing 737s and seven regional Jet ATRs—on Friday. "Jet Airways is operating only nine planes on Friday," a source said.

Cash-strapped Jet Airways on Thursday grounded its services to and from the east and northeast regions. It also suspended its international operations for a day. Consequently, many passengers were left stranded at airports.

The sources said Jet Airways now owes more than Rs 3,500 crore to passengers on account of flight cancellations alone.

As of Thursday noon, Jet Airways operated just 14 planes, way down from 123 planes in operation at the peak.