Prabhu directed aviation secretary to review Jet Airways issues

Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday directed civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola to review issues concerning Jet Airways, which has been operating with less than 10 planes.

Mumbai: Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday directed civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola to review issues concerning Jet Airways, which has been operating with less than 10 planes.

"Directed Secretary MoCA to review issues related to Jet Airways. Asked him to take necessary steps to minimize passenger inconvenience and ensure their safety," Prabhu tweeted in the morning.

According to industry sources, Jet Airways will operate only nine planes -- two Boeing 737s and seven regional Jet ATRs on Friday. "Jet is operating only nine planes on Friday," a source said.

Cash-strapped Jet Airways on Thursday grounded its services to and from the East and Northeast regions. It also suspended its international operations for a day. Consequently, many passengers were left stranded at the airports.

The sources said the airline now owes more than Rs 3,500 crore to passengers on account of flight cancellations alone. As of Thursday noon, the airline operated just 14 planes-- way down from 123 planes in operations at the peak.