Large Indian airline Jet Airways on brink of collapse

Major international airline Jet Airways was looking to be on the brink of collapse on Friday, with almost all flights at its primary base in Mumbai being listed as cancelled, or non-operational.

It was reported that most of its fleet had been grounded by the aircraft lessors, after the airline was rescued by creditors led by the State Bank of India last month.

The airline - India’s second largest - flew to Heathrow in London, with a departure on Thursday night landing in Mumbai on Friday morning.

However, according to the Independent, in trying to book a seat from Heathrow, Jet Airways was not operating any further flights, with departures being routed via Abu Dhabi on Jet’s minority shareholder Etihad Airways.

“Due to operational reasons, our flight schedule has been impacted,” the airline was telling passengers.

“We realise that this has affected our guests’ travel plans and truly regret the inconvenience.”

It had said its staff were working to ensure customers were re-accommodated on alternative flights, or providing a full refund.

Jet Airways was promising to issue refunds within 10 days, but questions were being raised over the likelihood of that given a number of the airline’s staff were working without pay.