Aviation

No More Jet Airways. Supreme Court Says “No Choice”, Orders Liquidation

Jet Airways was once one of India’s leading airlines, known for its service and extensive network. Founded in 1993, it served millions of passengers, connecting cities across India and international destinations.

However, since grounding its flights in April 2019, Jet Airways has struggled to navigate financial turbulence, leading to years of efforts to revive the airline and return it to the skies.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered the liquidation of Jet Airways, citing “no choice” but to take this decisive step after the resolution plan failed to meet creditor obligations. The court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142, which allows it to make orders for “complete justice” in any case, overriding previous tribunal rulings.

China Set to Debut New J-35A Stealth Fighter at Zhuhai Airshow

The Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC), which had won the bid to revive Jet, faced criticism for not fulfilling payment commitments to creditors, which included major banks like the State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank.

The Supreme Court’s ruling pointed to “peculiar and alarming” issues surrounding the resolution plan’s implementation, leading to its conclusion that liquidation was the only feasible outcome.

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Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasized that while liquidation should be a last resort, it was necessary as the resolution plan was “no longer capable of implementation.”

In line with this decision, the court ordered that the ₹200 crore already infused by JKC be forfeited and directed the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in Mumbai to appoint a liquidator to oversee the process.

JKC, a partnership between Murari Jalan, a UAE-based Indian entrepreneur, and Florian Fritsch, a Jet shareholder through Kalrock Capital Partners Limited, had taken ownership of Jet Airways two years after it was grounded. The consortium’s inability to fulfill its financial obligations has now led to this final verdict, marking the end of an era for Jet Airways in India.

Aviation

China Set to Debut New J-35A Stealth Fighter at Zhuhai Airshow

Next week, China will unveil its latest stealth fighter, the J-35A, at Zhuhai Airshow. This much-anticipated debut highlights China’s ongoing ambition to strengthen its military capabilities and match U.S. air power, especially within Asia.

Scheduled for November 12-17, the airshow is expected to showcase major advancements in Chinese military aviation, including the J-35A—a new addition to China’s expanding lineup of fifth-generation fighter jets.

This unveiling marks a milestone for China as it becomes the second country, after the United States, to field two distinct fifth-generation stealth fighters. The J-35A is anticipated to complement china jets existing Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter, demonstrating China’s progress toward a high-tech, self-reliant defense industry.

The U.S. currently operates the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, and China’s J-35A will likely be a direct competitor, aligning with Beijing’s aspirations for technological parity with the West.

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The airshow comes at a symbolic time, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of both the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the establishment of the PLA Air Force on November 11. As such, the J-35A’s debut represents not only a technical achievement but also a celebration of China’s growing military influence.

Reportedly, the J-35A could be the first in a series of fighters for the PLA, with potential for carrier-based operations. Its compatibility with China’s aircraft carriers would add considerable strength to the nation’s military reach by enhancing both aerial and naval combat capabilities.

Additionally, the J-35A is seen as a future replacement for China’s aging J-10 and J-11 aircraft, alongside the FC-31. When deployed together with the J-20, the FC-31 will likely offer a potent combination in China’s air defense strategy, solidifying its status as a major player in military aviation.

Comparison of the Indian built Tejas MK1A vs South korean FA 50

China is moving steadily toward its goal of producing indigenous, high-quality military equipment that can rival U.S. and Russian platforms.

This unveiling reinforces China’s position in the competitive landscape of fifth-generation fighters and underlines its determination to be a leading power in both defense technology and strategic military capability.