India: Supreme Court orders final dissolution of Jet Airways

In a decisive turning point for Indian aviation, the Supreme Court ordered the final liquidation of Jet Airways on November 7. This decision marks the end of a five-year journey of legal proceedings, after the company's creditors applied to the courts. Founded by Naresh Goyal, Jet Airways was once a major player in Indian skies. The consortium Jalan-Kalrockwhich had hoped to resume operations, failed to meet the necessary requirements. This liquidation sounds a call for a more rigorous examination of airline management in India.

The news came like a bolt from the blue: *Jet Airwaysonce a thriving business, will never again fly under Indian skies or anywhere else. It was a sentence awaited by some, feared by many, but inescapable given the situation. On November 7, 2024, the Indian Supreme Court confirmed the company's definitive liquidation, thus putting an end to a legal soap opera that had lasted five long years.

A long road to decadence

Founded by Naresh Goyal, Jet Airways once belonged to the elite of airlines, flying with elegance and success. Behind this prestigious façade, however, lay deep financial problems. Since 2019, the company had been sailing in troubled waters, desperately trying to turn its fortunes around thanks to a consortium led by Jalan-Kalrock.

This last hope was crushed by an implacable reality: an inability to draw up a viable recovery plan and appease creditors. The Supreme Court's decision is therefore not a surprise, but a sad confirmation of an inexorable downfall.

The root causes of falls

This liquidation is the result of several factors combining to form an explosive cocktail. In a saturated and competitive airline market, poor management decisions, coupled with crushing debts, exacerbated Jet Airways' decline. The current pandemic, albeit late in the liquidation process, has only driven the nail into this economic coffin.

Crucially, various efforts to restore the company failed. Strategic incompetence, administrative delays and the weight of impatient creditors severely restricted any room for manoeuvre.

The impact on the Indian airline industry

The disappearance of Jet Airways has bitterly resonated throughout the corridors of the Indian aviation industry. Not only does it raise questions about airline management in India, but it also reminds other market players of the volatility inherent in this industry.

Companies like Qatar Airwayswhich recently faced turbulence, or Norse Atlantic AirwaysThis decision marks a turning point in the perception of airline viability.

A warning for the future

The bankruptcy of Jet Airways is a strident signal for airlines not only in India, but worldwide. It illustrates the dangers of mismanagement and the potential pitfalls of an unstable airline market. As Airbus in LanzaJet's forward-looking investment strategy, innovation and rigorous management are more essential than ever to survive in this turbulent aviation era.

Comparison: Jet Airways liquidation decision

Element	Details
Date of decision	November 7, 2024
Institution	Supreme Court of India
Company concerned	Jet Airways
Duration of procedure	Five years
Cause of decision	Bankruptcy and creditors
Consortium involved	Jalan-Kalrock
Consequences	Final dissolution
Market impact	Earthquake for Indian aviation
Anticipated impact	Reassessing the Indian airline industry
Public reaction	A mixture of surprise and concern

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