Jet Airways Appoints Sanjiv Kapoor As CEO

Jet Airways has named Sanjiv Kapoor as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), beginning April 4, as the airline prepares to resume operations this summer.

Mr Kapoor is Jet Airways’ second high-level announcement, following the appointment of captain PP Singh, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) squadron leader and Nepal Airlines Corporation official, as the airline’s next responsible manager, succeeding Sudhir Gaur.

Sanjiv Kapoor’s appointment comes only days after Jet Airways named Vipula Gunatilleka, the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, as its new Chief Financial Officer. After being grounded for over three years, Jet is on the mend and has begun the hiring process for new crew and pilots.

Sanjiv Kapoor is a travel industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in the airline sector, having worked as a management consultant and investment advisor in the aviation area with airlines in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Mr Kapoor, who is currently the president of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, has previously worked for budget carriers SpiceJet and GoAir, as well as full-service carrier Vistara.

Jet Airways, which hasn’t flown since April 17, 2019, is expected to resume operations this summer, according to the Jalan Kalrock consortium.

Sanjiv (Kapoor) is an experienced aviation expert with the appropriate mix of skills and demeanour to bring a group together.

“I believe in investing in human capital, and I am confident that with Sanjiv as CEO and Vipula as CFO, Jet Airways will reclaim its lost glory and exceed everyone’s expectations,” Murari Lal Jalan, lead partner of the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium and proposed non-executive chairman of Jet Airways, told the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Mr Kapoor will lead Jet Airways to become India’s most favoured full-service carrier, according to Jalan.

According to Mr Kapoor, who spoke to PTI, “I’m excited to return to the world of aviation. Despite the fact that Jet Airways has been out of business for three years, it continues to have a strong fan base of dedicated consumers who miss it every day and eagerly await its return to the sky.” He also stated that he is looking forward to leading the charge in resurrecting Jet Airways as the most favoured customer-oriented airline in the digital age.

A loss-making airline Jet Airways was forced to ground in 2019 after failing to settle its debts. The airline plans to launch this summer as a full-service domestic carrier with a fleet of six planes under its new promoters. Along with low-cost carrier (LCC) rivals SpiceJet and Indigo, Jet will face competition from Rakesh Jhunjunwala’s Akasa, which is also set to begin this year. Akasa has acquired a no objection certificate from the aviation ministry and is anticipated to apply for a permit with the DGCA.

Source : NDTV & Financialexpress