‘Your love and unfaltering commitment, is humbling and awe-inspiring’: Naresh Goyal thanks employees on Jet Airways' 26th Anniversary, pins hopes on May 10

Founder of Jet Airways, Naresh Goyal penned an emotional letter to the employees of the organisation amid its ongoing crisis. Goyal expressed his grief at the trouble the employees were undergoing currently and saluted their confidence in the company. Giving an update some of the decisions made by him and wife Anita Goyal, he expressed hope that 'Joy of Flying' may once more bring cheer to all those associated with Jet Airways. 

READ: Jet Airways Grounds Operations Temporarily From Tonight. Read Its Full Statement.

Teetering for over four months due to a cash-drought, the last flight of Jet Airways, flying for 25 years, was operated on April 18 after its lenders refused to offer a Rs 400-crore lifeline. 

In the letter addressed to his 'colleagues', Goyal pointed some co-incidences, both special and sad, “Each year since the past 25 years, the 5th day of May has held a special place in the hearts of each of us. But yesterday, our 26th Anniversary was the saddest of all days, with no flights, added to which the sad coincidence that on 18th April 1993 we received our first aircraft in Mumbai, while in the early hours of the morning  of 18th April 2019 we operated  our last service from Amritsar to Mumbai.” 

Goyal lauded the ‘love and unfaltering commitment’ of the employees despite the crisis as they prayed for the revival of the company by holding peace marches, religious prayer meets and more that left the couple ‘emotional, humbled and overwhelmed.' 

“Yesterday, at the onset of the 26th anniversary of Jet Airways, the mood was sombre, poignant. Neeta and I were moved beyond words to see so many of you across our vast Indian and international network, don your uniforms, not to report to work, but instead to participate in peace marches, championing your continued commitment and confidence in Jet Airways. Some of you organized religious prayer meets, not seeking anything for yourselves, but praying solely for the revival of Jet Airways. So many of you reached out to Neeta and me via different mediums, leaving us emotional, humbled and overwhelmed. Your love and unfaltering commitment to Jet Airways, even under these adverse conditions and personal hardship, is humbling and awe-inspiring.” 

Goyal also shared an update regarding the relinquishing of the positions by the duo and their efforts to revive the airline. 

“Further to my communication of 25th March 2019, since stepping down from our respective positions, Neeta and I have had no role at Jet Airways after having made every possible sacrifice and commitment to ensure that the best interests of our Jet Airways family are served: 

• From a group company I have made Rs.250 cr. available to the Banks 

• I have pledged .my shareholding in 9W 

• I have stepped down as your Chairman 

• Neeta has stepped down from Board of Directors of Jet Airways” 

Expressing gratitude over the support shown to the company by the employees, Goyal hoped that the banks finalise the bidders so that their dues are cleared and lives are back on track.

“My heart goes out to each and every one of you and I hope and pray that the Banks will finalise the bidders on the 10th of May and move forward in the interest of all employees, so that you can all return to work and resume normal lives with your salaries paid.” 

READ: Vistara To Hire 100 Pilots, 400 Cabin Crew From Jet Airways

Goyal hoped for a positive outcome on May 10  so that ‘Joy of Flying’ returns once again, ”Neeta and I are anxiously hoping  that there will be a positive outcome on the 10th of May 2019 as per the BLRP deadline..  It is our dearest wish, like yours, to witness the blazing sun reappear from behind the dark clouds of the past weeks, on a canvas of never ending blue.  We both fervently pray that the “Joy of Flying” may once more bring cheer and solace to all of you and your dear families in the very near future.  Your loyalty, dedication and brilliance of the past 25 years, is worthy of this new dawn.” 

Here's the full letter: 

Dear Colleagues ,

Each year since the past 25 years, the 5th day of May has held a special place in the hearts of each of us.  But yesterday, our 26th Anniversary was the saddest of all days, with no flights, added to which the sad coincidence that on 18th April 1993 we received our first aircraft in Mumbai, while in the early hours of the morning of 18th April 2019 we operated our last service from Amritsar to Mumbai.

Yesterday, at the onset of the 26th anniversary of Jet Airways, the mood was sombre, poignant. Neeta and I were moved beyond words to see so many of you across our vast Indian and international network, don your uniforms, not to report to work, but instead to participate in peace marches, championing your continued commitment and confidence in Jet Airways. Some of you organized religious prayer meets, not seeking anything for yourselves, but praying solely for the revival of Jet Airways. So many of you reached out to Neeta and me via different mediums, leaving us emotional, humbled and overwhelmed. Your love and unfaltering commitment to Jet Airways, even under these adverse conditions and personal hardship, is humbling and awe-inspiring. We are unable to reciprocate and respond to each of you individually owing to the prevailing circumstances, and so we reach out to you through your beloved Jet Airways. 

Further to my communication of 25th March 2019, since stepping down from our respective positions, Neeta and I have had no role at Jet Airways after having made every possible sacrifice and commitment to ensure that the best interests of our Jet Airways family are served:
 
• From a group company I have made Rs.250 cr. available to the Banks
• I have pledged .my shareholding in 9W
• I have stepped down as your Chairman
• Neeta has stepped down from Board of Directors of Jet Airways

By comparison however, the sacrifices that you have made are greater and nobler by far. I have been learning through the media of the various peace marches outside various city airports and prominent landmarks and am deeply moved. This deeply decent, selfless and self-sacrificing act of yours, is both venerable and humbling. My heart goes out to each and every one of you and I hope and pray that the Banks will finalise the bidders on the 10th of May and move forward in the interest of all employees, so that you can all return to work and resume normal lives with your salaries paid.
 
For Neeta and me it has been an extremely emotional and difficult period, most particularly about the non-payment of your hard-earned salaries.  I cannot even begin to describe how terrible it is for me to contemplate the difficult situation each of you and your dear families are going through and cannot find the words to explain my deep personal anguish.  I have been in Mumbai and have been watching and closely monitoring the untiring efforts and sacrifices you are all making as a close-knit team for the survival of the company over all self-interests and I am truly, deeply moved.
 
Neeta and I  are anxiously hoping that there will be a positive outcome on the 10th of May 2019 as per the BLRP deadline..  It is our dearest wish, like yours, to witness the blazing sun reappear from behind the dark clouds of the past weeks, on a canvas of never ending blue.  We both fervently pray that the “Joy of Flying” may once more bring cheer and solace to all of you and your dear families in the very near future.  Your loyalty, dedication and brilliance of the past 25 years, is worthy of this new dawn. 

With warm regards,
NARESH GOYAL