Mumbai: Shares of Jet Airways Ltd fell as much as 11.4 per cent Monday after media reports said a buyout offer from Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways was non-binding and might not guarantee a deal for the struggling Indian company.
Etihad, which owns an about 24% stake in Jet, submitted a bid for the airline, the unit of State Bank of India (SBI) overseeing the sale of the stricken carrier had earlier said Friday. That had raised hopes of a bailout for cash-strapped Jet, which has about $1.2 billion in bank debt.
However, according to a section of the media here, Etihad wanted a commitment from banks on additional loans once it infuses equity into the company. The Middle Eastern carrier had not been able to find a local partner and lenders may need to take about 80 per cent haircut on their outstanding loans to Jet Airways.
Jet, which owes vast sums to its lessors, pilots, fuel suppliers and other parties, stopped all flights from April 17 after its lenders refused to extend more funds to keep the carrier flying.
