Trade rushes to aid of stranded Jet Airways passengers

The Indian carrier confirmed on Wednesday (17 April) it had failed to secure the emergency funding it needed to continue operating despite talks with key lenders, led by State Bank of India (SBI).

Jet suspended its Manchester-Mumbai service in March before pulling its entire international flight schedule earlier this month, including its Heathrow-Delhi and Heathrow-Mumbai routes.

While Jet has stressed the suspension is temporary, doubts have been cast over the carrier’s future with debts of £900 million.

Vishal Patel, director at long-haul tailor-made specialist and flight consolidator Travelpack, said the company had about 125 clients travelling with Jet and 1,600 forward bookings.

“Our relationship with Jet went from the very top right down to reservations teams,” said Patel. “We work very closely with them and we are all hoping they will come through this. It’s very sad.”

Patel added Travelpack staff were working tirelessly to bring people home promptly. “We’d love to get everyone on direct flights but it’s just not possible,” he said, adding the situation would inevitably end up costing the company.

“I do think it’s unfair we have no safety net despite adhering to the regulations – we have to bear the cost,” he said.