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Indian lender to auction Jet Airways' office space over loan default

INDIA’S private sector lender, HDFC Ltd has decided to auction a prime office space owned by Jet Airways at Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).

Jet Airways, which was until recently India’s second-largest airline failed to repay the loan amount of Rs 4150 million (£45.74m) to HDFC Ltd, one of its 11 lenders including nine Indian banks.


The property which covers 52,775 square feet is part of Jet Airways Godrej BKC, a 12-storey premium commercial building.

The property is scheduled to be auctioned on May 15 at a base price of Rs 2.45 billion, Indian financial daily- Mint reported.

"The borrower has failed to repay the amounts due to HDFC Ltd. Accordingly, HDFC Ltd has become entitled to enforce its mortgage over the immovable property," a public notice issued by the bank said.

Popularly known as Godrej BKC, the office complex was developed by Godrej Properties Ltd in partnership with the airline which owned the prime land.

Naresh Goyal founded airline obtained the land in 2008 for Rs 8.26bn through an auction.

According to the real-estate dealers, the property is expected to attract many investors as its located in a strategic business location and there is a shortage of prime office space in India’s commercial capital.

Earlier, Jet Airways was forced to halt all its operations last month after its lenders refused to pump more funds to keep the airline flying.

Once India’s largest private airline Jet, saddled with around $1.2 billion (£923 million) of bank debt.

Cash crunch hit company also defaulted on the payments to the lessors, employees, and others.

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London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

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London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

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Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

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