Back in skies…Jet Airways conducts its test flight after a 3-year gap
After a 3 year gap, the Indian international airline has seen its aircraft performing a take-off from Hyderabad airport with an aim to get an air operator certificate. It is a comeback for the airways as the airlines have been ground for almost 3 years due to the financial crisis. On May 5, the aircraft took off from Hyderabad airport and landed back there after a 90-minute test flight.
It was an emotional day for the pilot where his eyes filled with tears because the come back of the airline was indeed awaited occasion for all those who work hard for the airline. The airline has not flown skies since April 17, 2019, as it suffered a setback of debt, but as a step to create history, the airline is ready to return back to the runway.
The airline said it was a test flight and proving flights are scheduled for the coming days. Proving flights are operated as part of the process of getting an air operator certification (AOC) by the airline. In the case of Jet, it would mean the revalidation of the AOC. The official tweet by the airways, noted, “Today, May 5, our 29th birthday, Jet Airways flew again! An emotional day for all of us who have been waiting, working, and praying for this day, as well as for Jet’s loyal customers who can’t wait for Jet to commence operations again.”
Read Also: Indigo becomes the first airline in Asia to land using the indigenous navigation system GAGAN
Soon after the Airline conducted the test flight, there is a procedure for the airways to prove the working of all other flights so as to get an air operator certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The flight after taking off from the runway of Hyderabad airport then headed to Delhi where it will do its proving flights.
In February 2016, it was one of the largest airlines in India with a 21.2% passenger market share. The airline merged into a limited liability company in April 1992 and began operations in 1993 as an air taxi operator. It began full-fledged operations in 1995 with international flights added in 2004. The airline went public in 2005 and in 2007 when it acquired Air Sahara. As rivals SpiceJet and IndiGo reduced ticket prices in subsequent years, the airline was forced to follow suit, affecting the overall performance and incurring sharp financial losses.
