Airlines

Banks must pay Jet Airways staff’s PF, gratuity: Jalan-Kalrock

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The successful bidder for Jet Airways, the Jalan-Kalrock consortium, has filed a petition with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), saying that the provident fund and gratuity obligations of Jet employees must be covered by the airline’s current financial stability, with the remaining balance coming from the lenders’ share.

Until the date of insolvency graduation in June 2019, the appeal tribunal had ordered the consortium to pay gratuities and provident funds to the airline’s employees on October 21. Around ₹275 crore is the total declared.

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The banks, who already receive an average 95% haircut as part of the decision process, have refused to split the cost of PF and gratuity dues, casting additional doubt on the two-year-old decision deal. The Jalan-Kalrock consortium (JKC) has stated that all claims must be resolved within that amount and that it is not obligated to pay creditors anything more than the total amount of Rs. 475 crores.

The airline’s cash balance, which is approximately 50 crore, will be used to cover all extra claims that haven’t been taken into account in the authorized resolution plan, with the remaining funds coming from the banks’ stake of the airline, said.

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JKC’s overall obligation to former Jet Airways creditors is set at 475 crores. The resolution plan, which has been accepted by Jet Airways lenders, NCLT, and NCLAT, already clearly lays out the source and method of payments, according to a consortium representative.

In 2020, Jalan-Kalrock was successful in its bid to revive the bankrupt airline through a bank-run insolvency process, but since then, little progress has been made due to disagreements over payment concerns that have arisen between the lenders and the consortium. Employee legal challenges have also slowed down the procedure.

The consortium offered a price of Rs. 1,375 crores for the carrier, of which Rs. 475 crores would be used to pay stakeholders and Rs. 900 crores would be allocated for working capital and capital expenditure. The consortium must fulfill the plan’s upfront payment requirement of 185 crores within 180 days; that period ends on November 29. Lenders are unlikely to transfer the airline to the consortium without getting their initial payment.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.