Jet Airways could be on the verge of resuming flights, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) planning proving flights next week, after which the airline will be issued an aircraft operator's certificate.
“The proving flights are likely to start soon. The airline will have to conduct 10 such flights. We expect this to take 30 days after which the airline will get its aircraft operator’s certificate subject to security clearance,” a senior DGCA official said.
Following the issuance of the aircraft operator's certificate, the National Company Law Tribunal will transfer ownership of assets such as Jet Airway's 11 planes to the Jalan-Kalrock consortium, which was the successful insolvency resolution applicant. This will allow the airline to make a plane order and begin talks with airports about slot availability. By the third quarter of calendar year 2022, the airline hopes to begin operations.
The day of May 5th was particularly significant for the airline, which flew a Boeing 737 under the IATA code 9W after a three-year break owing to financial difficulties. The flight over Hyderabad on Thursday was a test flight after the plane underwent maintenance, which included engine replacement. The aircraft then went to Delhi for the regulator's proving flights, which are expected to take place next week.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Jalan-Kalrock consortium said, “We are in the final stages for the AOC, and hope to be able to schedule the proving flights soon”.
