Jet Airways withdrew its Vizag – Chennai flight on Monday. The airline was also said to be planning withdrawal of its flights to other destinations from Vizag by May 31. The Jet – Etihad deal seems to be working against the interests of Vizag, which forayed into international operations only a couple of years ago.
It may be recalled that the Dubai-based Etihad Airways acquired a stake in Jet Airways for over Rs.2,000 crore in April 2013. The airline was said to be keen on operating only on the trunk routes.
The airline is also downsizing its staff, and in Delhi alone, it reportedly sacked 40 employees and more layoffs were expected in the coming days.
The airline is planning to withdraw its flights to Kolkota, Mumbai and Bangalore . The airline was also said to have written to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announcing its decision to vacate the rooms provided to it (Jet Airways) by June 20.
The airline management has sent letters to its employees giving them options, including relocation or putting in their papers, according to reliable sources. The contract workers, hired by an agency to handle the luggage of the airline’s passengers, were also told that their services would not be required after May 31.
