Things are not getting any better for Flybe and Jet Airways, whose health is more than critical.
Flybe has already been saved from bankruptcy two months ago by a consortium formed by Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Air and an investment fund. Last week the airline closed two bases (Cardiff and Doncaster), cancelled dozens of flights due to lack of pilots and announced the withdrawal of 17 aircraft from its fleet.
If Flybe announces that it wants to avoid new layoffs, it is hard to believe that the simple reduction of its fleet will be enough to bring it back into the black, the problem being certainly deeper.
But if we can still hope for Flybe, the situation of Jet Airways is much more worrying.
Today, 75% of its fleet is grounded, going from 119 to 26 aircraft. The Indian Civil Aviation Authority has begun to redistribute its flight slots like the inheritance of a dying man whose fate is no longer up for debate. The investors mentioned here have just launched a tender to find rescuers for the airline. It is said that some salaries have not been paid since January.
In the meantime, Jet Airways being a partner of Air France-KLM on the Indian market, we can only recommend passengers to be vigilant if they have to plan a flight involving the Indian airline in the near future. This is also bad news for the European group, which seems to have bet on the wrong horse to conquer this promising market.
Photo : Flybe by Fasttailwind via Shutterstock
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