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Jet Airways’ fleet continues to dwindle, with ALAFCO, GECAS and Saroja Aviation submitting applications to deregister 3 Boeing 737-800s and 1 -900ER between them. ALAFCO has requested the deregistration of 737-800s which are both mortgaged to Nord LB, records from India’s DGCA show. Saroja Aviation, meanwhile, is seeking to take back a 737-800 which is mortgaged to Bank of Baroda’s Hong Kong branch. Lastly, GECAS is preparing to take back a 737-900ER which is owned by Celestial Aviation Trading 49. Jet’s situation remains parlous, with a deadline on binding bids to buy the defunct aircraft reportedly set to expire on the afternoon May 10. It is unclear how many – if any – proposals have been submitted by SBI Caps, which is running the process to sell up to a 76% stake in the airline. <br/>

Etihad Airways has flagged its willingness to commit fresh capital in order to remain a minority shareholder in a restructured Jet Airways. The carrier says that "subject to conditions" it would be prepared to "reinvest" in Jet, in which it holds a 24% stake. It adds that it has been working consistently with key stakeholders over the past 15 months to help find a solution that ensures Jet's return as a "viable and competitive Indian airline", and continues to do so. But the operator warns that it cannot be expected to be the sole investor in Jet and that, "amongst other requirements", additional "suitable" investors would need to provide the majority of the required recapitalisation. The deadline for binding bids for the grounded airline from potential investors expired Friday. Etihad has not disclosed whether it made a submission. <br/>