State-run SBI on Friday said Etihad Airways had sought waiver of open offer and assurance of flying slots for take over of Jet Airways, but the lenders to the debt-ridden carrier had no authority to accommodate the relaxations sought.

State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Rajnish Kumar had Thursday defended the lenders’ decision to take Jet Airways for bankruptcy saying “it was their last effort to find a resolution” for the grounded airline and also did not rule out the possibility of liquidation. Earlier this week, SBI-led consortium of 26 lenders had decided to seek resolution under IBC as they had received only a conditional bid.

In a filing to stock exchanges Friday, SBI said financial position of Jet Airways (lndia) Limited (JAL) being weak, lenders were continuously trying for viable resolution for last one year on account of operational losses.

Ln this regard, it added reputed consultants — SBICAPS, McKinsey — were roped in as process advisors/advisors. Lt was also decided to initiate a bidding process to bring in new investors, SBI said.

As part of the bid process, Expression of lnterest (Eol) for investment in Jet Airways was sought from interested participants. Etihad, NIIF, TPG Capital and Indigo Partners had expressed their interest on April 10,2019. The bidding process closed on May 10, 2019.

Subsequent to the closure of the bidding, as no binding bids were received, discussions were held with Etihad (EY) and other prospective investors to find a way for infusion of funds, it said.

“EY had sought certain relaxations viz. Waiver of open offer, assurance of flying slots etc. As the lenders did not have any authority to accommodate some of the relaxations sought by EY, it was not considered feasible to negotiate on the conditions laid by EY,” the SBI told exchanges.