DGCA Grants Jet Airways Air Operator Certificate; Airline Can Resume Commercial Operations

Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, the promoters of Jet Airways, is planning a launch of its commercial operations in the July-September quarter

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday granted Jet Airways the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), allowing the airline to resume commercial flight operations, the PTI reported.

DGCA Chief Arun Kumar said the AOC has been granted to Jet Airways.

Currently, the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium is the promoters of Jet Airways. The grounded airlines is planning a launch of its commercial operations in the July-September quarter.

Jet has already completed its five sets of proving flights. On Tuesday, the last set was conducted by Jet with 31 people on board that included officials of DGCA.

It intends to restart commercial flight operations in the July-September quarter.

In a statement, Jet Airways said with the receipt of the AOC, the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium has fulfilled all the conditions under the resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

"Aircraft and fleet plan, network, product and customer value proposition, loyalty program, and other details will be unveiled in a phased manner over the coming weeks," it noted.

Additional senior management appointments will be unveiled in the next week, and hiring for operational roles will also now commence in earnest, with former Jet Airways staff getting preference wherever possible, it said.

Murari Lal Jalan, the lead member of Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, said, "Today marks a new dawn for not just Jet Airways, but also for the Indian aviation industry. we are committed to making this an extraordinary success story in Indian aviation and in Indian business," he added.

Earlier this year, the airline appointed veteran aviation expert Sanjiv Kapoor as its chief executive officer (CEO). Kapoor during his stint with SpiceJet helped steer the company through a turbulent period.

The company has also appointed former Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Vipula Gunatilleka as the chief financial officer (CFO).

Barring the top bosses, the airline has recruited over 200 people across various departments to look after the functions of the company.

Jet Airways, which was founded by Naresh Goyal, first operated its first commercial flight on May 5, 1993, while the last commercial flight was on April 18, 2019, as it collapsed under a pile of debt and the company became bankrupt.