Air India to not accept passengers with cancelled tickets of Jet Airways

As Jet Airways continue to face severe financial problems, Air India said on Friday it would not accept any passengers that have got cancelled tickets of the former airline. Generally, when an airline cancels a flight due to some exigencies, other airlines accommodate the former’s passengers in their flights. The airline, which has got its flight cancelled, has to pay other airlines for passengers accommodated.

“With immediate effect and till further notice, Jet Airways (India) Limited and Jet Lite Limited documents (including FIM and endorsed/involuntary rerouted/rebooked/exchanged/reissuedocuments) are not to be accepted for travel on Air India flights,” said an order of Air India dated March 1. FIM stands for Flight Interruption Manifest.

Around 15 aircraft of Jet Airways have been grounded by the lessors due to non-payment. Jet is trying to raise funds for its operations as it has a debt of around Rs 8,200 crore currently. Moreover, its pilots have been threatening action as there have been delays in salary payment.

The carrier also said it is making all efforts to minimise disruption to its network due to the grounding of these planes and is "proactively" informing and re-accommodating its affected guests, it said.

Jet Airways also continues to provide required and periodic updates to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in this regard, the airline added.

Grappling with financial stress due to four consecutive quarterly losses, the airline is looking to restructure its debt as well as raise funds. Its board and shareholders have already approved a bailout plan by the lenders.

Meanwhile, Beleaguered Jet Airways' Chairman Naresh Goyal has stepped down as the lenders gear up to acquire majority stake in the airline under a bailout plan. The move comes a day after an urgent meeting of lenders with Goyal and Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas to resolve various issues between the two promoters as well as lenders and Etihad.

The Gulf-based carrier holds 24 per cent stake in the Mumbai-based full service airline, founded by Goyal 25 years ago.