Jet Airways (JAI, Mumbai International) is in talks over the possible placement of unwanted ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop machinery with regional Indian carrier TruJet (TRJ, Hyderabad International).

In May, Jet Airways was said to be looking for takers for its fleet of fifteen ATR72-500s and three -600s given its decision to upgauge its services to India's Tier II and III towns to B737 jet equipment.

This week, India's Business Standard newspaper cited sources familiar with the situation as saying the negotiations with TruJet are close to finalization with an announcement possible during the coming eight weeks. Early indications suggest that Jet Airways could sub-lease up to six aircraft to TruJet in the initial phase of a potential deal.

The ch-aviation aircraft database shows Jet Airways' ATR fleet is leased from several firms including Aergo Capital, Injet Leasing, Bank of Scotland PLC, and DAE Capital.

For its part, TruJet operates a fleet of three ATR72-500s and one ATR72-600 on scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations spanning Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern India from its Hyderabad International hub.