Jet Airways to suspend flights from Ahmedabad to London
Smart and sensible move

Ahmedabad, Nov. 29, 2007
Ashok Shah

NRI Naresh Goyal, owner of Jet Airways decided to suspend international flights from Ahmedabad to London’s Heathrow airport after mid-January due to poor passenger response. Jet Airways is operating three flights a week from Ahmedabad to London to attract Gujarati and non-resident Indian community staying in the UK. Malaysia Airlines has recently pulled out flights to Kuala Lumpur from Ahmedabad because of poor passenger response.

Air India have its daily flights from Ahmedabad to London and have very good passenger load factor. Other airline- Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways and Kuwait Airways also operate out of Ahmedabad.

Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, chief executive officer of Jet said, “We will withdraw Ahmedabad-London flights from 15 January and will deploy this capacity into Amritsar-London route.”

Kapil Kaul, chief executive officer said:

• It was a sensible decision from Jet Airways as part of its prioritization. Since Amristar traffic is increasing day-by-day, Jet would want to enhance the capacity in that route connecting to the UK
• There are more connections to other parts of Europe and the US from Amritsar.
• There are more connections to other parts of Europe and the US from Amritsar. I am sure at some point of time Jet will come back to Ahmedabad.
• At present, we can serve Ahmedabad route with help of domestic flights connecting to Delhi and Mumbai, from where passengers can catch UK flights

The airline operates over 350 flights daily across 44 destinations within India and also operates flights to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Thailand, Belgium, United States of America & Canada on one of the youngest and best maintained fleets. Jet Airways plans to extend its international operations further in North America, Europe, Africa & Asia in the coming years with the induction of wide-body aircraft into its fleet

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 71 aircraft, which includes 7 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, 52 classic and next generation Boeing 737-400/700/800/900 aircraft, 5 Airbus A330-200 aircraft and 7 modern ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft. With an average fleet age of 4.66 years, the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet in the world. Jet Airways operates over 350 flights daily.

Jet Airways’ JetPrivilege, the frequent flyer programme from India’s leading airline has entered into a ‘credit card points to JPMiles conversion’ partnership with two leading multi-national banks, Barclays Bank PLC and Deutsche Bank.

This week, Jet Airways has tied up with Marriott International Inc., offering the airline's JetPrivilege members the opportunity to earn JPMiles at over 2,700 Marriott properties across 65 countries in 6 continents.

Jet Airways announced its codeshare partnership with American Airlines offering its valued customers seamless travel between India and the USA. Subject to regulatory approvals, effective 16 January 2008, Jet Airways will place its 9W designator code on certain American Airlines domestic flights out of New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK). Jet Airways operates daily flights between India and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) via its Brussels hub. In turn, American Airlines will place its AA designator code on Jet Airways flights to certain cities in India beyond the Jet Airways Delhi hub. American Airlines flies nonstop daily between its Chicago hub and Delhi.

Travel agents worldwide have voted Jet Airways ‘India’s Leading Airline’ at the 14th Annual World Travel Awards. The awards were announced on November 2, 2007, at the World Travel Awards Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean ceremony, held at the Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore, India.

As of 29 Oct 2007 report, Jet Airways reports profit after tax of Rs. 284 mn (US$ 7.1 mn) for Q2 FY'08 vs a loss of Rs. 551 mn in Q2 FY'07; Revenues up 26% YoY.

Jet Airways announced the introduction of its first flight from Chennai to Toronto, via its hub in Brussels. This follows the induction of a brand new Airbus 330-200 aircraft into the Jet Airways fleet, which will be used to operate these flights.

To launch this very important route, Jet Airways will use a brand new Airbus 330-200 aircraft, which will carry its passengers in a two-class layout and offers unprecedented levels of luxury, privacy and comfort in the air. The Airbus 330-200 aircraft has been especially configured for international operations with 30 seats in Premiere Class and 190 seats in the Economy Class. This Next-Generation aircraft promises to offer an international experience in Premiere and Economy Class.

The new Première lie flat beds represent the absolute latest in airline seat technology. Featuring a 73” bed length that electronically converts to an enormous 180-degree flat bed with lumbar support and massage systems, Première passengers will rest in unequalled comfort. The menu choices are exquisite and extensive. The finest of French Wines, Champagnes, including vintage Dom Perignon and a library of single malt whiskies will be offered.

Jet Airways fully owned by Mr Naresh Goyal