Ailing Jet Airways suspends Manchester flight
Ailing Jet Airways has suspended flights from Manchester to Mumbai in India as its financial crisis deepens and its chairman steps down from the board..
The service from Manchester launched last November as the airline’s 21st international route, but an airline spokesperson said it had been suspended until the end of April.
The airline, which is the second largest in India, blamed ‘short-term non-availability of some aircraft in its fleet’ for the move. It has been forced to ground 82 of its 123 aircraft due to lack of funds.
It said it was offering passengers booked onto the Manchester flight full refunds while also exploring re-accommodating passengers on flights with other airlines.
Jet Airways also offers flights from Heathrow to Mumbai and Delhi.
Manchester airport CEO Andrew Cowan said: "The Jet Airways service to Mumbai has been one of the best-performing new long haul routes we have launched in recent years, proving hugely popular with business and leisure passengers alike.
"Its success to date is a reflection of the strong ties that exist between the north and India in terms of trade, culture, sport and tourism, all of which have been strengthened since direct flights began.
"This includes the 200,000 people of Indian origin living in our catchment area and an increasing number of Indian businesses with operations in the north.
"We have been assured the Manchester-Mumbai service will be reinstated at the earliest opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with our partner Jet Airways."
The debt-laden airline began grounding flights in February after missing payments to its aircraft lessors.
Shareholder Etihad, which owns 24% of the airline, has refused to provide emergency funds, saying it would opt to exit its joint venture with Jet Airways if this became necessary.
Local news outlets in India claim Jet Airways’ chairman Naresh Goyal and his wife Anita have resigned today.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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