Jet Airways crisis: CEO says Arun Jaitley promised to look into the Airways’ issues

Jet CEO Vinay Dube, along with representatives of pilots, engineers, cabin crew, met Arun Jaitley on Saturday. The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has assured them to look into cash-strapped Jet Airways’ issues that have forced the airline to halt operations temporarily.

As reported by Business Today, Dube, along with Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, the airline’s chief financial officer Amit Agarwal, representatives of pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground staff unions met Jaitley at his residence in Delhi.

After the meeting, Dube said, “At least one month’s salary needs to be paid to the employees to keep them where they are and to give them hope. Jet would require around ₹170 crore to clear at least one month’s salary of its employees. The finance minister has assured us to look into that.”

During the meeting which lasted for more than an hour, the Jet CEO also said that competition in the aviation sector is “important” and requested the Union Finance Minister to ensure an “open, transparent and efficient” bidding process.

The Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEWA) also submitted a representation to Jaitley, saying “the airline is sinking for want of funds and taking away the livelihood of 23,000 people”. It also said the grounding of the carrier has affected not only the airline’s employees but others as well, such as the passengers who are not only stranded across airports but are also paying a much higher price for the flights due to a sharp spike in airfares. Shops in retail areas of airports too are facing a ‘lull’.

State finance minister Mungantiwar said the delegation requested Jaitley to expedite the bidding process. They have also sought a two months fuel credit for the airline.

Also Read: Jet Airways Crisis: The cash strapped airline suspends all international flight