Jet & Kingfisher now fight over codes

New Delhi: Naresh Goyal-owned Jet Airways has put in a complaint with the aviation regulator—Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)—against Kingfisher Airlines for operating flights on similar code numbers.
Jet has claimed that rival Kingfisher is doing so to attract Jet travellers. It has also claimed that this could lead to air-safety problems and confusion. DGCA has set up a committee to look into the matter. Kingfisher has, however, rejected Jet’s charge and claims that clashes over flight numbers among competitors are common in most aviation markets.
“... Flight numbers are usually decided by an airline based on certain operational parameters, and no airline can claim right of usage over a particular flight number as is being claimed,” a Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson said.
Jet Airways recently raised the issue with DGCA when it found that Kingfisher was copying its flight numbers on some key routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata and Mumbai-Bangalore, among others, to attract Jet customers.
“..We have written to DGCA for intervention. Air-traffic controllers (ATCs) have already brought the issue to DGCA’s notice and have said that same flight numbers by 9W and IT are creating hazardous situation,” a Jet Airways source said.
Meanwhile, a committee has been formed by DGCA to look into the matter. The committee had a meeting recently to discuss the issue.
04/09/08 Nirbhay Kumar/Economic Times

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Categories: Jet Airways Sep 2008, Kingfisher Sep 2008