September 21, 2026
#Business

Jet Airways grounds four aircraft after failing to pay lessors

India’s Jet Airways Ltd has grounded four aircraft after failing to make payments to lessors, in a sign that leasing firms are losing patience with the heavily indebted carrier.

“The company is making all efforts to minimise disruption to its network due to the above and is proactively informing and re-accommodating its affected guests,” Jet Airways said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange late on Thursday.

Saddled with debt of about $1.14 billion, Jet Airways has been hit by price competition, rupee depreciation and high oil costs. The full-service airline, which controls a sixth of India’s booming aviation market, owes money to banks, vendors and lessors.

The airline, India’s second-largest by market share, did not name the leasing firms involved, nor clarify whether the groundings were voluntary or forced. Jet Airways has a large fleet of mainly Boeing Co 737 jets which it sources from over 20 lessors.

Lessors to Jet Airways include AerCap Holdings NV, BOC Aviation Ltd, Avolon, GE Capital Aviation Services, Aircastle Ltd, DAE Aerospace, SBMC Aviation Capital and Jackson Square, according to past announcements and Indian registration documents.

“Patience is running very thin and some lessors are not convinced about a viable rescue plan for Jet,” the person said, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. “Nobody wants to be the last one pulling out their aircraft.”

Jet Airways last week said it would seek shareholder approval at a Feb. 21 meeting to convert existing debt into equity and allow its lenders to nominate directors to its board, in an effort to resolve its financial issues.

Jet Airways grounds four aircraft after failing to pay lessors

IndiGo seeks RBI nod to use rupees