India's Jet Airways is looking to restart operations within the next couple of months as it attempts to bounce back from a court-monitored restructuring. There have previously been hints that the airline could opt for the Airbus A220 as it emerges onto the Indian aviation market. Sources have now revealed that the airline is indeed in "advanced talks" with Airbus for the order of 50 A220 aircraft.According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter (asking not to be named as the discussions are confidential), deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2025. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the planes would be bought outright or leased, for the deal that for the larger A220-300 would be worth about $4.6 billion at list price (although, of course, airlines hardly ever pay the list price, especially when purchasing bulk).Jet Airways has also reportedly been in talks with Boeing and Airbus for a "sizable" order of either the 737 MAX or the A320neo family of aircraft. In fact, before going bankrupt, the carrier had a massive order for the 737 MAX 8 of 125 units and had received eight of them.

Final stage of discussions

The airline is in the process of being taken over by Dubai-based, Indian-origin businessman Murari Lal Jalan and Florian Fritsch, the chairman of London-based financial advisory and alternative asset manager Kalrock Capital Management. Kalrock said in a statement that the airline was “in the very final stages of discussions” with lessors and planemakers for aircraft, as well as for engines. The spokesperson added,

A skeleton fleet remains before new deliveries

Before folding in 2019, the Delhi-based carrier operated a fleet of mostly Boeing 737 narrowbodies. However, following the restructuring, it currently has nine aircraft listed in its fleet, according to data from planespotters.net. Three are Boeing 737-800s, one a 737-900, and the remaining five are 777-300ER widebodies.

In whatever shape its fleet returns to service, it will be doing so entering a cut-throat Indian market, along with some of the highest jet fuel prices in recent memory. Once India's leading airline, Jet Airways seems confident in its resurgence, branding its comeback slogan #thejoyiscomingback.

Meanwhile, the airline has begun training its - all-female - cabin crew, hiring pilots, and has provided a first look at its new booking site.

Would you like to see the Airbus A220 in the Jet Airways livery? Would you prefer the carrier go with Boeing or Airbus for its narrowbody fleet? Please feel free to discuss this in the comments below.

Source: Bloomberg