Jet hires law firm to fight US case

Private airline carrier Jet Airways (India) has appointed the US-based law firm, Paul Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, to initiate legal charges against the American firm of the same name, Jet Airways Inc, to counter accusations of terrorist links.

Executive director, Jet Airways(India) S K Datta, said in a statement, "Martin London, a partner in the Litigation Department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, will lead the legal team on behalf of Jet Airways (India) in this matter."

According to the release, the charges are against the president and chief executive officer, Jet Airways Inc, Nancy Heckerman, who, in a letter of objection to the US Department of Transportation, had made strong allegations against Jet Airways (India), linking the airline with terrorists.

The primary driver of Jet Airways Inc in filing the objection arises out of a trade name registered by them in 2004 that is currently being addressed before the US Patent and Trademark office. Jet Airways Inc. as yet, has no airline operating permit and it has no aircraft.

In the meantime, Jet Airways (India) is gearing up to begin daily flights between India and the US starting June 23 onwards, despite the complaint being filed with the US Transport Department about the alleged terrorist links.

The airline has already filed additional documents with the US Department of Transportation in response to the objections raised against it.

Jet Airways Inc. made its security-risk allegations in a May 23 filing with the US transportation agency objecting to the Indian airline's plans.