Jet Airways to fly 40 more planes by end of April: Civil Aviation Ministry

Jet Airways will fly 40 more planes by the end of April and is in talks with leasing companies to restart operating several of its grounded aircraft, Pradeep Singh Kharola, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Tuesday. "As per plan the given by Jet Airways, they're hopeful that by the end of next month, they would be able to fly about 40 more planes. If this happens, it comes to about 80% capacity," Kharola said.

Kharola also said Jet Airways have assured the ministry that no more jets will be grounded. "Today 35 planes are flying, they will approach the DGCA for the next one month to get the schedule approved for the 35 planes," he said.

Shares of Jet Airways continued to rise for the second day on Tuesday and closed 6.5 per cent higher on the bourses following the exit of Chairman Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita Goyal from its board.

The stock closed at Rs 271, up 6.48 per cent on the BSE. During the day, it zoomed 9.62 per cent to Rs 279. At the NSE, shares jumped 5.37 per cent to close at Rs 267.75.

On the traded volume front, 54.11 lakh shares were traded on the BSE and over 6 crore shares on the NSE during the day. Shares of Jet Airways had zoomed 15.5 per cent on Monday.

Naresh Goyal and his wife will resign from the board of the airline, according to a regulatory filing Monday. The decision was taken at the airline's board meeting held in Mumbai Monday.

In the filing to the stock exchanges, Jet Airways on Monday said Naresh Goyal, Anita Goyal and one nominee of Etihad Airways PJSC would step down from the board.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is a strategic partner with 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways.