Air India looks to fly Jet planes on 5 international sectors

KOLKATA: Air India is exploring the possibility of operating aircraft on five international sectors which were earlier operated by the grounded Jet Airways, writes Atmadip Ray. The national carrier is also looking to take Jet's grounded Boeing 777 aircraft from State Bank of India on lease. “Subject to approvals and financial viability, we can examine the possibility of taking five B777s on wet/dry lease basis from SBI, the terms for which can be thrashed out," Air India chief Ashwani Lohani said in a communique to SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar.

Lenders led by SBI now hold 50.1% in Jet following the debt-equity conversion as per the Reserve Bank of India norms for stressed loans. The stake issued to the banks is valued at Re 1on their books. “We are indeed saddened by the turn of affairs at Jet Airways, a scenario that is creating considerable inconvenience to travelling public,” Lohani said. The routes mentioned in the letter are Mumbai-London-Mumbai, Delhi-London-Delhi, Mumbai-Dubai-Mumbai, Delhi-Dubai-Delhi and Delhi-Singapore-Delhi.