Air Sahara picks up pieces at the ground level

With Jet Airways having withdrawn completely, Air Sahara started operating under the Sahara Group’s control from Thursday. Air Sahara president Alok Sharma landed in Delhi to co-ordinate operations and clear confusion among the employees of the airline.

“I see energy and enthusiasm in the people behind the counters. Absolutely a new freshness in them. If at all I see something, I am seeing something positive,” he said, after speaking to employees of the airline. Delhi airport is a major base for the Sahara Group airline.

It is understood that the Sahara Group would infuse nearly Rs 100 crore initially to ensure that Air Sahara does not face a cash crunch.

Air Sahara said all flights were on schedule, except one between Delhi and Kolkata. “We are flying normally, like any other day,” Mr Sharma told ET. Senior executives of the airline accompanied him to the airport to oversee operations.

The Sahara Group is now focusing on ensuring that the switch in management from Jet to Sahara is completed smoothly. Aircraft lease and arrangements with service providers and suppliers also needs to be reworked.

The transition is yet another switchover for the Air Sahara employees who had adjusted to Jet’s management from January.Air Sahara has a fleet of Boeing and CRJ aircrafts which was being operated by Jet Airways after the Rs.2,300-crore deal in January The engineering and spares support made available by Jet for the Sahara fleet has been withdrawn now.