Jet "still talking" to Kingfisher for code sharing

New Delhi: More than a year after joining hands with Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways is still in talks with the Vijay Mallya-led carrier for code sharing and other initiatives to achieve operational synergies and reduce costs.
"We are still talking (with Kingfisher)," Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal told PTI when asked by when will the two airlines reach the code sharing agreement for flights and take other measures to increase cost effectiveness.
Under a code sharing agreement between two airlines, passengers of one carrier can board flights of the other.
In October 2008, the two carriers had announced strategic alliance to help reduce cost and enhance efficiency through code sharing on domestic and international flights, joint fuel management, common ground-handling services and cross-selling flights through the global ticketing system.
On Jet's plans to raise USD 400 million (about Rs 2,000 crore) through qualified institutional placement (QIP) of shares, Goyal said," We have applied to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB )for approval. We are waiting for the approval. Then we will look at it accordingly".
Jet had taken shareholders' approval for raising the amount through QIP to meet cash flow requirements.
26/11/09 Press Trust Of India/Hindustan Times

Read More

Jet seeks further relief to pay land dues: Sources

Jet Airways and Starlight had bid for land deals worth over Rs 1300 crores in 2008, one of Mumbai’s most expensive land deals in Bandra Kurla Complex. But both companies failed to meet their payment schedule. CNBC-TV18 learns that Starlight will now be paying Rs 150 crores by November 30. Jet, however has a different plan, reports CNBC-TV18's Swati Khandelwal Jain.
We understand from our sources that Jet Airways has sort an extension for another six months. They were to pay it on September 30, and so they have now taken time till March 2010 to pay up the dues. The dues are about Rs 800 crore, and this is against a security deposit of Rs 10 crore, which Jet will have to pay if they don’t pay on time.

Now we understand from sources that the application is still pending with the government and they haven’t come back on whether they will sanction the six months extension. But what we understand from sources in Jet is that Jet is particularly not interested in picking up this land now because they have realised that they have picked it up at a very high rate versus the first plot that they had picked up.
27/11/09 Swati Khandelwal Jain/CNBC-TV18/Moneycontrol.com

Read More

Singer serves airline notice for off-loading her

Mumbai: Singer Shibani Kashyap has sent a legal notice to the Jet Airways. The airline allegedly off-loaded her from a flight to Ahmedabad on November 6. DNA is in possession of the legal notice. Kashyap has claimed Rs1 crore in damages for defamation, financial loss and mental agony.
Kashyap, a platinum card member of the Jet Airways, was booked on the business class of the 9W 327 Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight on November 6. The plane was to depart at 10.30am. She was going there for a concert. Prior to that, she was to attend a press conference at 12 noon.
"I am a platinum card holder, and was travelling business class," Kashyap told DNA on Monday. "After checking in at 9.30am, I went to the lounge and waited for the boarding announcement. After a while, I asked the lounge manager about the status of the flight, but he said he had no clue about it.
"Around 10:25am, I myself went to check whether boarding had started. The airline executive at the gate told me that I have been off-loaded. I was shocked. I had reached the airport well on time, had my boarding card, and was waiting in the lounge. Yet, I never came to know that the flight was boarding."
The singer further alleged that the airline staff behaved rudely when she pleaded with them. "One of them said, 'Yes, we know you are Shibani Kashyap. But we do not care. It is for you to ensure that you board your flight'." The airline said that it would try to accommodate her on its next flight to Ahmedabad, but made no commitment as it was overbooked. "You may have to manage on your own," said a staff. However, she was aboard the 1.30pm flight when it left Mumbai.
24/11/09 Daily News & Analysis

Read More

Medical emergency: Jet Airways Brussels flight diverted to Moscow

A Jet Airways Airbus A330-200, registration VT-JWN performing flight 9W-230 from Delhi (India) to Brussels (Belgium), diverted to Moscow Sheremetyevo (Russia) due to a medical emergency on board. The airplane landed safely.
Jet Airways said, that a passenger needed immediate hospitalization prompting the crew to divert to the nearest suitable airport.
19/11/09 Simon Hradecky/The Aviation Herald

Read More

Sahara says no compromise with Jet

Mumbai The Sahara group on Thursday ruled out an out-of-the-court settlement with Jet Airways over their dispute on the multi-crore Sahara airlines take over deal even as Bombay High Court granted two months time to both the parties for filing affidavits.
Justice D Y Chandrachud adjourned the case till January 19 after Jet and Sahara India Commercial Corporation Ltd pleaded for time to file additional affidavits.
Sahara's lawyer Pradeep Sancheti said outside the court that at the moment they were not looking at an out-of-the-court settlement and that the airline was expecting a ruling from the court after the January 19 hearing.
The Bombay High Court had earlier suggested to both the litigants to settle their dispute amicably. On July 15, Jet and Sahara informed the court that efforts to arrive at an out-of-the-court had failed.
Sahara, in March, had filed a petition claiming that the Naresh Goyal-owned airline had defaulted on the installment amount due as payment for acquisition of Sahara Airlines, now JetLite. Hence, it was liable to pay original deal amount of Rs 2,000 crore and not re-negotiated amount of Rs 1,450 crore.
19/11/09 Express India

Read More

HC grants time to Jet, Sahara to file affidavits

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court today granted two months time to Jet Airways and Air Sahara for filing affidavits with regard to the dispute over the multi-crore take-over deal.
Both the parties sought time to file additional affidavits following which the Court deferred the case for further hearing to January 19.
Sahara had in March filed a petition claiming that the Naresh Goyal-owned airline had defaulted on the instalment amount due as payment for acquisition of Sahara Airlines, now JetLite.
19/11/09 Press Trust of India

Read More

Cabinet to decide on Jet's $432 mn share sale

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet will decide on Jet Airways Ltd's proposal to sell shares worth 20 billion rupees ($432 million) to foreign institutions, the finance ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Jet, the country's No 2 airline by market share, is looking to raise up to $400 million to reduce its debt.
As the proposed investment was higher than the 6-billion-rupee limit that the regulatory authority on foreign investments can give clearance to, the matter was referred to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
With a net debt of $3.1 billion on its books, about $500 million of that for its unit Jetlite, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4 to 1 at the end of the September quarter, the company has to raise funds to deleverage its balance sheet.
17/11/09 Reuters/Economic Times

Read More

HC accepts Jet pilots' apology; disposes of contempt case

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday disposed of the contempt proceedings against the Jet Airways' pilots after accepting an unconditional apology from them.
The HC had issued contempt notice to the pilots belonging to National Aviators Guild for continuing the strike despite court's restraining order in September this year.
When the strike began, the private airline management moved the High Court. A division bench led by Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar then restrained pilots from carrying on the strike till next hearing.
But the stir continued. Later the dispute between the pilots and the airline was resolved, but the High Court said the pilots must face consequences for defying court's orders.
17/11/09 PTI/Economic Times

Read More

Goyal stake may fall by up to 27%

Mumbai: Naresh Goyal may have to settle for a lower stake in Jet Airways (India) Pvt. Ltd as the struggling airline finds the door to other funding options slammed shut and prepares to sign off on a plan to sell $400 million (Rs1,844 crore) worth of new shares to large investors through a qualified institutional placement, or QIP.
Goyal set up Jet Airways in 1992 and owns 79.99% of it through Tail Winds Ltd, his investment company registered in the Isle of Man.
The extent of the stake reduction depends on how much money the company he heads eventually raises from investors. An initial $200 million QIP will pull down his stake to around 65%, but this could plummet to as low as 53% in case there is a $200 million follow-up QIP.
Funds are also expected to be generated through sale and leaseback deals with financiers and a plan to sell two plots of prime land at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, home to several large companies and financial institutions.
Jet Airways is also moving ahead with plans to cut costs, rework routes and build a more robust hub-and-spoke network to help it navigate a turbulent patch for the global airlines industry.
Two senior Jet executives said that the airline was originally considering a mix of a rights issue and a QIP to raise the $400 million. Goyal preferred a rights issue to avoid diluting his control. Both executives spoke on the condition of anonymity.
17/11/09 P.R. Sanjai/Live Mint

Read More

Jet Airways offers exclusive benefits to children and youth

Mumbai: Jet Airways, India’s premier airline, today launched a unique initiative for its young guests. An educational excursion was organized today for children at the Jet Airways Simulator to kick-start this campaign.
Jet Airways’ new initiative - a first-of-its-kind by an airline attempts to create a long term relationship with its future travellers in the age groups of 2-21 years. Jet Airways’ young JPMembers from age 12 years onwards have an opportunity to earn miles which can be redeemed for free flights on their own.
The new members stand to gain numerous benefits like, special offers on their boarding card, a dedicated web page and a special section for its activities in the in-flight magazines – JetWings and FlyLite.
In addition, Jet Airways also plans to create a community for its young members, which will help connect with other members and share their experiences.
Mr Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways, said, “This one of its kind property, is focused to create a strong bond with our future flyers by being an integral part of their formative years. It also gives a chance for children to emulate the status of their parents.
To celebrate the launch of our new initiative on the occasion of Children’s Day, we are proud to host thirty children to an educative and memorable day at the Jet Airways Simulator, Mr. Raghavan added.
The visit to the Jet Airways Simulator enabled the children to get a flying experience on the state of the art Boeing 777 and Airbus 330 aircraft, in the presence of actors Amrita Rao and Boman Irani, who interacted with the excited children, adding to the fanfare.
A quiz competition was also organised and the winners were given prizes.
The children of the age group of 12 – 14 years were selected from a large database of the Jet Privilege members who spent quality time with Jet Airways. Prizes were presented by sponsors - Skybusters "Range of Aircrafts' only from Matchbox, while Sky Gourmet provided the refreshments.
As part of its focus on young travellers Jet Airways has partnered with National Geographic channel as an airline partner to promote ‘NatGeo Junior Hunt’, a specially designed contest for school children who will be tested for their knowledge of travel, culture, geography, people and wildlife.
The regional finalists of the NatGeo Hunt contest will also get to participate in a Jet Airways’ sponsored quiz entitled Travel Enriches Life.
Jet Airways has also tied up with Hong Kong Tourism to host two of its young JetPrivilege members for a sponsored trip to Hong Kong.
14/11/09 PRESS RELEASE/Jet Airways

Read More

Jet Airways celebrates Children’s Day with Flight of Fantasy

Mumbai: Jet Airways, India’s premier airline, today celebrated Children’s Day with an hour long Flight of Fantasy for underprivileged and special children, as part of its annual tradition. Nearly 100 children had the unique once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the “joy of flying” onboard Jet Airways Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft on the hour long flight operated in support of non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) - MAGIC BUS, ASEEMA, Development Education Empowerment of the Disadvantaged in Society (DEEDs) and Muktangan.
The Flight of Fantasy, an initiative started by Jet Airways in 1997 opens up the world of aviation to underprivileged and special children. Like every year corporate partners such as GE Volunteers turned up in full force in support of this noble cause. Refreshments at the lounge courtesy Oberoi Flight Services, added to the spirit. Colour-coded blue and yellow balloons and streamers were festooned in the party area.
The flight 9W 8169 took off from the domestic terminal of the Chhatrapathi Shivaji International Airport and returned after an hour long flight, flying over the west coast to touch down at Mumbai at 16.30 hours.
The children assembled at the domestic terminal prior to the flight and were entertained with music, dance, a variety of games with prizes galore, and a special PowerPoint presentation on aviation informed our young guests on the workings of an airplane. There were special invitees from the world of entertainment and films that made their day even more magical.
On this occasion, Mr. Nikos Kardassis, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways said, “It is indeed a privilege for us to work with these notable NGOs and their wards. It is most gratifying is to see smiles lighting up the little faces as the children look forward to an experience in the skies. Children’s Day is one such occasion for the young ones to cherish this memorable Flight of Fantasy.”
In another welcome move, senior Jet Airways cabin crew on board the Flight of Fantasy also volunteered to participate onboard this unique flight on their day off. The event also saw corporates come together to make the day memorable for the children. Refreshments served on board were courtesy Taj SATS and fuel for the flight was courtesy India Oil Corporation. Route Navigation and Landing charges were waived off by MIAL.
Adding to the joy of our little guests, specially created gift wrapped hampers were given to each child on arriving off the flight, giving them an opportunity to take home happy memories to cherish.
14/11/09 PRESS RELEASE/Jet Airways

Read More

Jet Airways pilots’ union de-registered

Mumbai: The Mumbai labour commissioner on Friday de-registered the National Aviators Guild (NAG), a pilots’ union at Jet Airways (India) Ltd, for “misrepresentation” of facts. The union in September led a work stoppage that crippled operations at India’s largest private sector airline for at least five days.
“The NAG has been de-registered on grounds of misrepresentation of facts. Wrong information was given (by them),” labour commissioner N.V. Palve said on Friday.
Jet Airways’ pilots launched the agitation after two of them were fired in August after they formed the NAG and registered it with the labour commissioner’s office. Two more pilots were dismissed in September after the agitation.
NAG officials, requesting anonymity, said that they had not yet received any formal communication from the commissioner’s office.
13/11/09 PTI/Live Mint

Read More

Jet flies on Konnect to gain market share

New Delhi: The gamble by Jet Airways (India) Ltd to convert two-thirds of its dual-class fleet into an all-economy configuration under the Jet Konnect brand has finally paid dividends.
According to passenger traffic numbers released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for October, Jet Airways has increased its market share to 19.8% and together with JetLite commands at least 27% of the domestic market.
“The rebound of Jet is because of Konnect, given that more...aircraft have been converted to all-economy. This has arrested Jet’s fortunes,” said Kapil Kaul, India chief executive for the Centre For Asia Pacific Aviation, or Capa. Kaul, however, pointed out that the benefits of having a low-cost service on its balance sheet will depend on the amount of cost-cutting Jet can achieve to match other low-cost carriers (LCCs).
In May, Jet Airways, with a domestic market share of just 15.7%, had opted for an all-economy configuration on a majority of its flights. Of the 385 daily Jet flights today, including international services, at least 185 are dedicated Konnect flights. Konnect only flies domestic routes.
DGCA passenger traffic figures released on Thursday also show a year-on-year growth of 26.51% in passenger traffic for October.
Unlike 2008, when traffic slumped, a comparison with October 2007 shows airlines carried 3.96 million passengers this time versus 3.63 million then, signalling a revival.
12/11/09 Tarun Shukla/Live Mint

Read More

Jet Airways lauches sms search for lowest fares

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, today announced the launch of a new and exciting initiative for guests to access to the lowest current fares on the airline network from their mobiles on any given day of travel.
Jet Airways guests may now send a simple SMS to get the lowest real-time fares available on jetairways.com on a particular sector and date. To get the lowest fare information, a guest has to send a simple message in the following format: LFS Origin Destination Date
(in dd/mm format) to 56388. E.g. LFS BOM DEL 25/11 to 56388.
In keeping with Jet Airways' commitment to continually enhance the Jet Airways experience for all our guests, the airline regularly studies its customers and their needs. The introduction of initiatives such as these, along with the airline's existing services of real-time flight updates and prior check-in through SMS, among others, enable it to further raise the bar in terms of overall customer satisfaction.
Announcing this new initiative, Mr. Sudheer Raghavan, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways said “This initiative, the first of its kind in the domestic civil aviation industry, is designed to seamlessly offer guests information on the lowest possible fares at that moment. We are confident that it will be popular with our travellers, and encourage more people to book their fares online at jetairways.com."
Jet Airways has always focused on the requirements of guests to make travel easy and introduced several initiatives towards this end. Today, by sending an SMS he can check his flight status, get updates on his Jet Privilege account, check-in via SMS and now also search for the lowest fare available on jetairways.com.
11/11/09 PRESS RELEASE/Jet Airways

Read More

Jet diverts 8 flights to other airports

Mumbai: Seven Jet Airways flights and a JetLite flight were diverted to other airports after the Mumbai Airport was shut for nearly two hours following the skidding of Kingfisher Airline's aircraft on the runway.
"Seven flights of Jet Airways and one flight of JetLite were diverted to other airports due to runway closure for almost two hours today," an Airport official said.
The flights were diverted to Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Pune and Baroda, the official said, adding, these flights are now likely to land in Mumbai between 1930 and 2030 hours.
Earlier, a Kingfisher Airlines ATR aircraft with 42 passengers and four crew members skidded the runway after it landed in Mumbai.
10/11/09 Press Trust of India

Read More

Jet Airways re-introduces B777-300ER on Mumbai-Brussels-Newark sector

Mumbai: To cater to increased peak season traffic, Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will re-introduce its luxurious, new B777-300ER aircraft on its daily services to Newark-Liberty International Airport from Mumbai, via its European hub in Brussels. This will be effective November 21, 2009 to January 16, 2010.
The airline currently operates daily services on the sector aboard Airbus 330-200 aircraft, with a twin-class configuration (Premiere and Economy).
The new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft feature the airline's famed First Class — signature private suites offering guests the ultimate in comfort, space, and privacy. Each suite features the world’s longest First Class bed at 83 inches, massive 23 inch flat screen monitors, carefully designed storage areas that include a personal hanging wardrobe, dual credenza and under ottoman stowage, as well as dual sliding doors to ensure complete guest privacy.
Premiere (Business) and Economy guests also enjoy additional seat capacity.
In addition, Jet Airways also flies daily to New York’s JFK International Airport from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, via Brussels, aboard its state-of-the-art Airbus 330-200 aircraft.
For more information, travelers can contact their local travel agents or visit: www.jetairways.com.
11/10/09 PRESS RELEASE/Jet Airways

Read More

Now, Jet seeks ministry’s help for concessions from oil firms

New Delhi: In the wake of mounting losses, the country’s largest private airline, Jet Airways, is again knocking on the government’s door looking for some reprieve. It has now asked the civil aviation ministry to take up its case with the oil ministry to grant it “temporary concession in the commercial terms” from oil marketing companies.
The airline, in its recent communication to the government, has sought extension of the credit period from the oil marketing public sector units from 60 days to 90 days. It has also sought interest payment waiver on the delayed payments till date. The company has told the ministry that a substantial chunk of its total dues towards all suppliers consists of those towards oil companies on account of the rise in fuel prices in 2008. In 2008-09, the annual fuel bill of the company ran up to Rs 500 crore. It has cited its precarious cash flow situation over the last 12 months — mainly on account of the general economic slowdown — as the reason for seeking the concession.
11/11/09 Smita Aggarwal/Indian Express

Read More

Jet Airways to start Mumbai Kathmandu service in Dec

Mumbai: Effective December 2, 2009, Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, will connect India's commercial capital with the Nepalese capital city of Kathmandu, with the introduction of its new daily services on the Mumbai-Kathmandu sector, aboard a state-of-the-art Boeing 737 aircraft.
The airline currently operates two services on the Delhi-Kathmandu sector, one a daily flight and the other operating six days a week, totaling thirteen weekly frequencies on this sector. Effective November 17, 2009, however, the airline will operate two daily flights on the Delhi-Kathmandu sector, or fourteen weekly frequencies.
Jet Airways flight 9W 266 will depart Mumbai at 0830 hrs, arriving in Kathmandu at 1115 hrs. Flight 9W 265 will then depart Kathmandu at 1245 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 1530 hrs.
According to Mr. Nikos Kardassis, Acting CEO, Jet Airways, “The Indo-Nepal sector is a very busy one, in terms of leisure and business air traffic. With the success of our services to Kathmandu, there has been increasing demand for direct air connections between the Indian commercial hub of Mumbai and Kathmandu from both business and leisure travelers. Having introduced the same in the festive season, we are confident that our new daily services on this sector will be much appreciated.”
Effective November 11, 2009, Jet Airways will also introduce new services on the Mumbai-Kolkata sector. Flight 9W 217 will depart Mumbai at 1020 hrs, arriving in Kolkata at 1255 hrs. Flight 9W 218 will then depart Kolkata at 1330 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 1555 hrs.
09/11/09 PRESS RELEASE/Jet Airways

Read More

Conditional clearance for Jet QIP likely

New Delhi: The ministry of civil aviation has suggested a "conditional" clearance for Jet Airways' proposal to raise $400 million through the qualified institutional placement (QIP) route.
In its recommendation to the department of industrial policy and promotion, the ministry has permitted Jet to raise this money even when this move could raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the carrier beyond the permitted 49% cap for scheduled air transport services.
The catch is the "checks and balances" the ministry has proposed.
"We have written a special note mentioning these checks and balances before the airline is allowed to raise money by this route. The most important thing we have said is that Jet promoter Naresh Goyal cannot sell off his stake or that owned by companies promoted by him in Jet Airways... we don't want the airline to be sold off," highly placed sources told DNA.
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board is believed to have given an "in principle" approval to Jet's proposal and asked it to comply with the overall 49% FDI cap within three years. Now, the proposal will probably also need clearance from the Union Cabinet since it involves an inflow of over Rs 600 crore.
09/11/09 Sindhu Bhattacharya/Daily News & Analysis

Read More

Private airlines increase fuel surcharge

Mumbai: Beginning midnight Friday, at least three private carriers revised the aviation turbine fuel surcharge on domestic travel by Rs100 for routes of less than 1000 kilometres and by Rs200 for routes of at least 1000 km, beginning midnight.
Jet Airways (India) Ltd, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, and GoAirlines India Pvt. Ltd announced the new charges on Friday, apparently in a bid to make the most of the peak tourism season that last November through mid-February.
“Due to rise in ATF prices we have increased fuel surcharge by Rs100 for sectors less than 1000 kms and Rs200 for sectors more than 1000 kms. This hike is applicable on all domestic Jet Airways, Jet Airways Konnect and JetLite flights,” a Jet Airways spokeswomen said on Friday.
State run National Aviation Co of India Ltd or Nacil, that runs Air India, said it was still considering such a move.
06/11/09 PR Sanjai/Live Mint

Read More