Mumbai: Jet Airways and Etihad huddled in talks over the weekend, the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways' decision on its Indian partner has reached a critical stage. Etihad is likely to be the first foreign carrier to make an investment into Indian aviation sector after the government allowed foreign airlines to partner with Indian companies.
The middle-east carrier kept Jet Airways and Kingfisher AirlinesBSE -1.43 % guessing even as it picked up a 70 per cent stake in Air Berlin's flier miles programme for over Rs 1,000 crore on Wednesday. According to a source in Kingfisher Airlines, the Etihad management , under CEO James Hogan, had indicated that the management will decide on a possible investment in Indian aviation sectorvery soon.
Kingfisher top brass is still waiting, giving credence to the buzz that Etihad may lean towards Jet Airways as its Indian partner.
22/12/12 Manisha Singhal/Economic Times
