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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive