Prepared to make any sacrifice to ensure your future: Naresh Goyal tells Jet Airways employees

Mar 1 (AZINS) Outgoing chief of Jet Airways Naresh Goyal on Friday penned an emotional letter to the employees of the debt-ridden airline, saying he is "prepared to make any sacrifice" to ensure employees' "future comfort" as well as the "prosperity, viability of the airline and in fact welfare of all the employees of the company." 

The letter was written a day after Goyal announced that he is ready to step down as the chairman of the debt-ridden airline.

"The deep emotion this has evoked leads me to appeal to each of you from my heart, to bear with me through this difficult situation a little longer, till we emerge out of turbulence and fiscal challenges, into clear blue skies.

Towards this, I commit to you personally from my heart, that I am prepared to make any sacrifice to ensure your future comfort and prosperity, the viability of the airline and in fact welfare of all the employees of the company," Goyal wrote.

"Nostalgia fills me with pride at the manner in which each of you has so superbly sustained the highest standards of performance that have become benchmarks of excellence other carriers look upon with respect. Even though our recent tough months, you have been working beyond the call of duty, despite delayed salary payments, reflective of your wonderful faith in the solidity, credibility, and longevity of our organization. Words fail me to thank you and your dear families for your patience, perseverance for perfection and sacrifices this has entailed," he added.

Last week, Jet Airways' Board of Directors approved the bank-led provisional resolution plan (BLPRP) put forth by the airline, which, the latter said, is essential to "ensure that the carrier re-emerges as a financially strong and resilient airline."

"The BLPRP is very critical to the long-term viability and sustainability of our Jet Airways and would provide in due course, a funding package.  Further, on 21st February 2019, at the Extraordinary General Meeting, our Shareholders unanimously approved enabling resolutions which allow for the conversion of debt to equity and the appointment of nominee Directors by the consortium of Indian lenders, among other such supportive provisions," Goyal wrote in his letter.

He also assured employees of relief by March 18 under the guidance of Vinay Dube, the new CEO of the company, and the new team.

"I do not, never have and never shall take your patience for granted. In the last 25 years I have given my life for this company and its employees and today more than ever I am willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that our Jet Airways not only survives but also thrives and dominates and remains the first choice of our customers as before."

"Each of you my dear friends and colleagues, are the heart and soul of Jet Airways,  always bigger than me -  this I have never forgotten and never will. I salute each and every one of you and will always put you first in my personal esteem, respect, and affection. In my vast experience and global contacts, I have never come across anywhere in the world any other airline whose team members have laboured as uncomplainingly, sacrificed personal comforts and entitlements as loyally and to such an extent as the incredible manner in which each and every one of you strive for your beloved Jet Airways. Your single-minded motive to accord paramount priority to our customer's well-being, comfort, has absolutely assured their continued patronage," he added.

Jet Airways has been struggling with financial issues and is looking to rejig debt as well as raise funds.

It is worth to mention here that Jet Airways has been facing a financial crisis with debt to the tune of Rs 7300 crore, causing the airline to default on salary payments of its employees in recent months.

The airline failed to pay full salary to their pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) and other senior-level employees for the month of August.

Jet also delayed the salary of its employees for the month of September, following which the airline issued an apology to its employees, saying they are "working towards a solution on the issue."