The new promoters of Jet Airways (India) Limited, Jalan-Kalrock consortium, has appointed former Sri Lankan Airlines chief executive Vipula Gunatilleka as the chief financial officer (CFO) of Jet Airways (India) Limited.
Gunatilleka is a chartered accountant with an MBA from the University of Colombo, as well as a Chartered Management Accountant (FCMA) from the United Kingdom and a Certified Public Accountant (FCPA) from Australia.
Ankit Jalan, a member of Jet Airways‘ monitoring committee and a member of the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium said, “Vipula is an aviation expert and is known in the business as a turnaround specialist. After a lengthy process overseen by our Executive Team for the past few months, he has been nominated “.
“Mr Gunatilleka is recognised for his excellent understanding of aircraft finance, strategic planning, cost-efficient business modelling, and openness to embracing hybrid methods to keep company expenses low and efficiency high,” according to a statement from the Jalan-Kalrock partnership.
Jet Airways, which was founded and headed by Naresh Goyal for more than 25 years, was forced to shut down on April 17, 2019, after running out of funds.
The NCLT authorised the Jalan-Kalrock consortium’s resolution plan in June 2021, which included UAE-based entrepreneur Murari Lal Jalan and UK-based Kalrock Capital. From the proceeds of the asset sale and cash flow, the consortium proposed to pay creditors 1,183 crores over five years.
