India’s second-largest airline Jet Airways has suspended all its flight operations after failing to secure emergency funding. It’s the end of a months-long trickle of aircraft repossessions, flight cancellations and growing financial problems that became a flood.
A Jet Airways aircraft is seen parked at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Image by Himanshu Bhatt/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“Consequently,” the airline says, “with immediate effect, Jet Airways is compelled to cancel all its international and domestic flights. The last flight will operate today. The airline will inform all guests about the temporary suspension of flight operations via text message or email to the contact details listed in their bookings,” it says, and if you’re booked to travel with Jet then you’re very likely not going to be flying.
The airline says it’s “temporary” and that “we hope to bring the flying sun back into the skies”, but until further notice this looks to be the end of the line for Jet Airways.
India’s Jet Airways pilots gather at its head office in Mumbai on April 15, 2019. Image by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images
I’m booked on Jet Airways: will my flight operate?
With many of its aircraft repossessed and difficulties paying for fuel over the last days and weeks, Jet Airways has been operating fewer and fewer flights. But in the event that you’re booked on one of the airline’s final flights, be prepared for it not to go ahead.
One of the few exceptions may well be if you booked with Jet a codeshare flight operated by one of Jet Airways’ partners. Check your booking carefully to see whether it says “operated by” another airline, or if the code at the beginning of the flight number is Jet’s 9W or another airline’s code (like EY for Etihad or AF for Air France). If, say, you’re on an Etihad-operated flight with a Jet Airways ticket, call Etihad immediately in order to confirm that your booking is still valid, but be prepared for the answer to be a no.
Conversely, if you booked with one of the airline’s codeshare partners to fly to or through India, you’ll want to doublecheck (and possibly call that airline) lickety-split to make sure you’re not booked on one of their codeshares operated by Jet Airways. Again, the key is in the details, including “operated by” small print and whether the two-character code is 9W or not. If you booked with one of their partners, that airline has the responsibility to reroute you.
Use Google or another search engine to find the best number for that airline where you are — “Air France telephone number India” for example — but you may want to get yourself an international calling card or voice-over-IP service like Skype and others offer if you have to call international.
Jet Airways has, or used to have, a huge range of partners across all three of the major global alliance groupings, including Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Air Seychelles, ANA All Nippon Airways, Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Flynas, Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Vietnam Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, so if you booked with any of them to or from India it’s well worth checking you’re on their flights.
An aircraft of India’s Jet Airways lands during rain showers in Mumbai. Image by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images
What are my flight options?
To start with, don’t expect Jet Airways’ staff — who just lost their jobs, so don’t expect normal service on the phones or at the airport — to be able to do much to help you. What usually happens in cases such as this is that other airlines offer what are known as “distressed passenger”, “stranded traveller” or “emergency” fares to help out Jet Airways customers.
Information on these fares will usually be announced by the other airlines rather than Jet, so keep an eye on their Twitter, Facebook, and websites. You don’t lose anything by calling an airline to check, especially if it’s one of the partners listed above.
Can I get a refund?
As a general rule, if you booked with a credit card you may well have some recourse from your credit card provider: give them a call ASAP. In fewer cases you may also be protected if you paid with a debit card, and again, call the provider as soon as you can.
As a last resort, your travel insurance (or even your home insurance if you have an especially good policy) may cover some of your expenses, particularly if you’re stranded away from home. Keep all your receipts, and don’t go wild on the expenses because there’s usually a “reasonable costs” line in there: stick to a basic hotel and three square meals if you’re stuck somewhere.
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