When is expected to take to the air?
I am very eager to start as soon as possible but we are waiting for the NCLT to clear our proposal. Four to six months after we get the NCLT clearance, we will be able to be airborne.
In what form will Jet Airways come back?
We would like to continue with the same legacy that Jet Airways used to have. In fact, we would like to bring in a youthful flavour with a lot of internet and other things on the air apart from the old legacy we will definitely continue with the premium airline and what it used to be.
Are you saying that it will be a premium, full-service carrier?
Yes absolutely.
How many aircraft are you planning to start with? Which aircraft are you planning to start with and when can we see the number increasing?
In the beginning, we are trying to bring 25 aircraft. Of this, 18-20 would be narrow body aircraft and 5-7 would be wide body aircraft. We are already in discussion with the manufacturers. As soon as NCLT clears our plan, we will start finalising the agreements.
You at this point have almost 6-7 777 aircraft in the Mumbai Airport. What are you planning to do with them? Are you planning to sell them or use them after refurbishing?
Once the NCLT clearance comes, we will inspect them. We are not sure what is the situation with the existing aircrafts. At the moment, we are planning to start with the new aircraft. If the existing aircraft can be used, we definitely would like to use it in the later stage.
Since you are getting wide body aircraft, obviously you have international aspirations. When can we see Jet Airways going international? Which are the markets you are looking at?
We would definitely like to start on international routes as soon as possible but a lot of formalities have to be done and lot of work has to be done to start the international routes. Our target is to start as soon as possible and definitely within this year, we would like to go international.
In the domestic market, which are the markets you are looking at? Do you plan to go into tier two, tier three cities or in the initial days are going to stick to the metro cities?
We definitely want to go to the tier two and tier three cities.
Let us speak about funding. Would the amount of money you will be putting in be enough to take Jet forward? What are your fundraising plans?
We have given our plan to the CoC and it has been approved. As far as funding is concerned, we are not concerned for the first stage or for maybe a year or two. Everything is planned properly and we are going with the plan.
Is there an agreement you are looking to reach with the CoC where the banks can lend some money to start operations again?
No, it is not required. Whatever commitment we have given as per our resolution plan, have already been fulfilled. The fund that was required until now and whatever is required to start the airlines is ready. We are not looking at anything immediately but as the business grows, we are expecting a lot of cash flow to come. Also, we can go to the market whenever it is required. Nothing is ruled out.
You have a lot of international slots and domestic slots as well at major airports. Have you had the chance to speak to the government and write to them about giving back the slots which were temporarily given to other airlines?
We are not concerned about the slots. We have already discussed. During the time of Covid, the Government of India have increased a lot of slots and even a lot of infrastructure development, especially on civil aviation, have been done. We have already had preliminary discussions and we are sure we will get the slot we need.
Have you applied for it yet or are still waiting for the NCLT approval to come?
We cannot apply until the NCLT clears. We are waiting for the NCLT to clear and then we will do whatever is required to do.
What is the update with the new management team?
Definitely professionals are required to run any business and we are looking for the professionals who are experienced to run airlines.
