Even as the Tata group is believed to have intensified negotiations for a possible purchase of a stake in troubled airline Jet Airways, the carrier may find a white knight in Delta Air Lines, three people familiar with the development told FE. Although the Atlanta-based airline declined to comment on what it termed “speculation regarding future investments”, it is understood to have made overtures to Jet’s promoter Naresh Goyal. Goyal holds 51% in Jet Airways.

Delta, persons in the know, said would also buy the 24% stake in Jet held by Etihad Airlines. The UAE-based airline bought a minority stake in Jet Airways in 2012 for about $379 million, the first-ever airline stake buy after the government had allowed foreign airlines to buy up to 49% in domestic carriers.