Etihad may absorb some senior pilots from JetLite

Mumbai: Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways may explore the possibility of absorbing some senior pilots from JetLite — the no-frills airline operated by its Indian partner Jet Airways — that will soon cease to exist. The move is aimed at addressing the concerns of JetLite pilots who were given the option to join Jet Airways, but at the cost of foregoing their seniority.
On September 9, a team of about 40 JetLite pilots met Jet Airways' chief executive designate Cramer Ball, chief operating officer Hameed Ali, senior vice-president for flight operations Nikhil Vaid, vice-president of human resources Samar Srivastava, and a senior Etihad Airways official at New Delhi airport’s T3 to discuss and resolve issues pertaining to the integration of JetLite’s pilots into Jet Airways’ fold. FE couldn’t immediately ascertain the name of the Etihad Airways official present at the deliberations.

Jet-Etihad Airways deal: SC seeks Centre reply on Swamy's plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday sought Centre's response within four weeks on pleas by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking Cabinet note concerning Jet-Etihad Airways deal and copy of the transcript of tapped telephonic conversation of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia in which she had allegedly talked about civil aviation sector.

A bench comprising justices H L Dattu and S A Bobde asked Additional Solicitor General L Nageshwar Rao who accepted the notice on behalf of the Centre to file response on Swamy's application.

Mid-air luxury making a comeback?

IBy the end of the year, the entire domestic fleet of Jet Airways will revert to a two-class, full service configuration

  Indian flyers will soon begin to sit back and enjoy their flights as hot meals and cold towels will put the joy back in flying.  While close to 75 percent of the domestic air traffic is now controlled by low cost carriers (LCCs)—IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir and JetKonnect—by this time next year, the low-cost to full-service ratio is likely to be closer to 50:50.

Air India, national interest factored in for nod to Jet-Etihad deal: Siddeshwara

Air India's concerns, the prospect of global connectivity and national economic interests were taken into account when the government approved the Jet-Etihad deal, Lok Sabha was informed today.
"Primacy of the national carrier has been retained as traffic rights are allocated to other carriers only after considering the operational requirements of Air India," Minister of State for Civil Aviation GM Siddeshwara said in reply to a question.

How Jet Airways can survive: Here’s what the airline’s auditors advised

Auditors of Jet Airways have warned that the company's continuance as a "going concern" depend on deeper synergies with Etihad Airways and its ability to raise funds in the future. Wholly owned subsidiary JetLite posted significantly higher losses in FY14 than the previous fiscal and had negative net worth as on 31 March, 2014.

In other words, unless the partnership with Etihad works out, more cash flows are generated by the Jet Airways' management and JetLite is offloaded, the airline will remain in serious financial trouble.

Jet, Etihad reinforce commitment to growth of Indian aviation

Dubai: Jet Airways and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways have outlined plans to reinforce their long-term commitment to the growth of India's economy and aviation industry, including a major new turnaround strategy for Jet Airways to return to profitability in three years, it has been announced.

The two airlines have been codeshare partners since 2008 and their relationship was strengthened in November 2013, after Etihad Airways received approvals to acquire a 24% stake in Jet Airways, marking it the first investment by a foreign carrier in India's airline industry.

The wide-ranging partnership has numerous advantages for travellers, including enhanced connections across the world through an expanded codeshare agreement, reciprocal 'earn and burn' rights and tier level recognition on the JetPrivilege and Etihad Guest frequent flyer programmes, said a report.

With Etihad on board, Jet Airways chalks profitability plans

New Delhi: Jet Airways, India's No.2 airline by market share, will look at selling planes and restructuring its debts in its quest to turn profitable in the next three years.

The airline, which suffered a loss of Rs 4,130 crore in 2013-14, said it was planning a major overhaul of its fleet and products.

"We plan to reduce losses in 2015, consolidate in 2016 and turn profitable in 2017... We are already on track as our international business has turned profitable. We now have to take our business forward," Jet's CEO designate Cramer Ball told reporters. Ball is yet to get necessary clearances to take over his position.

Jet deal opens up the skies to India and beyond for Etihad

New Delhi: Jet is looking to operate non-stop flights to Europe, China, Australia, the Middle East, South East Asia and neigbouring Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, said Naresh Goyal, the Jet chairman.

“Our focus remains to develop hubs in Mumbai and Delhi,” he said.

Jet will also link more points in India to Abu Dhabi, for onward connections, besides operating its own flights beyond Abu Dhabi to North America and the Middle East, and increase frequencies to Abu Dhabi. New routes will be introduced between Abu Dhabi and Goa, Ahmedabad, Pune and Lucknow by the year-end.

Focus will also remain on the international sector as competition increases in the domestic carrier market.

India's Jet eyes profit by 2017 with boost from Etihad

New Delhi: Jet Airways, India's second-biggest carrier, forecast Wednesday a return to profit in three years through cost-cuts, route-sharing with new partner Etihad Airways and restructuring of hefty debt. The publicly traded airline, which has not posted an annual profit since 2007, has been struggling in an overcrowded market beset by cut-throat fare wars, high fuel costs and shoddy infrastructure.
"The game plan is in place, it's now about delivery," Jet Airways' new chief executive Cramer Ball told reporters in New Delhi. "It's a three-year plan -- 2015 we will reduce losses, 2016 we will consolidate and 2017 we'll have profitability," he said.
Ball was speaking at the airline's first news conference with Etihad since India cleared in May the fast-growing Abu Dhabi airline's purchase of a 24-per cent stake in the Indian carrier for 21 billion rupees (US$330 million). Jet's shares jumped over five per cent on the turnaround plan before retreating slightly to trade up four per cent at 266.35 rupees.

Jet Airways and Etihad Airways: Committed to grow India's Aviation Industry

Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, have outlined plans to reinforce their long-term commitment to the growth of India’s economy and aviation industry, including a major new turnaround strategy for Jet Airways to return to profitability in three years.

The two airlines have been codeshare partners since 2008 and their relationship was strengthened in November 2013, after Etihad Airways received approvals to acquire a 24 per cent stake in Jet Airways, marking it the first investment by a foreign carrier in India’s airline industry.

The wide-ranging partnership has numerous advantages for travellers, including enhanced connections across the world through an expanded codeshare agreement, and reciprocal ‘earn and burn’ rights and tier level recognition on the JetPrivilege and Etihad Guest frequent flyer programs.

Etihad Airways Offers Enhanced Access To India

Mumbai: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a major expansion of its codeshare agreement with Jet Airways, offering travellers enhanced connections throughout India, and linking India with even more destinations worldwide.
The two airlines have obtained regulatory approval to codeshare on 43 additional routes, bringing the total number of services in their codeshare agreement to 71.
As part of the expansion, Etihad Airways has placed its 'EY' code on domestic services in India for the first time, with the codeshare agreement now including 31 Jet Airways routes from hubs in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore to regional centres in Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Patna, Trivandrum and Vadodara.
The codeshare agreement has also been updated to incorporate Jet Airways' international connections from Mumbai and Delhi to the Asian tourism and economic hubs of Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, together with services linking Chennai to Abu Dhabi and Singapore.

Jet, Etihad Airways stop discount fares for children on UAE sector

Mumbai: Travelling with children may become more expensive on Jet Airways and Etihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India.
The two airlines have stopped giving discounts to children aged between 2 and 11 on direct flights from Abu Dhabi/Dubai to India, it is reliably learnt. A ticket for a child will now cost the same as that of a regular ticket.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for Jet Airways said: “Effective June 16, Jet Airways has discontinued the child discount of 25 per cent from Abu Dhabi/Dubai to India. From Dubai there is no child discount since February1. This is due to the prevailing market practice.” The child discount programme remains unchanged on other international routes, Jet said.

Turbulence for Jet-Etihad deal in Singaporean skies

New Delhi: After crossing several regulatory hurdles in India, the over R2,000-crore deal between Jet Airways and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad may be in for another spot of minor turbulence. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) is now scrutinising the ‘proposed commercial alliance’ between the two airlines to see if it will have an impact on Singapore's aviation industry.
CCS has sought feedback from third parties on the Jet-Etihad commercial agreement by July 11 under Section 34 of the city-state's Competition Act, following which it will take a view on the matter.
“CCS received a notification for decision on 6 June 2014, with regard to the Proposed Commercial Alliance between Etihad and Jet. The Proposed Commercial Alliance relates to the provision of international air passenger transport services (and associated support services), with a specific focus on the Singapore origin and destination (O&D) city pairs affected by the Proposed Commercial Alliance,” a CCS statement said.

Etihad Airways offers enhanced access to India

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced a major expansion of its code-share agreement with India's Jet Airways.
The new arrangement offers travellers enhanced connections throughout India, and linking India with even more destinations worldwide.
The two airlines have obtained regulatory approval to code-share on 43 additional routes, bringing the total number of services in their agreement to 71.

Jet Airways may lease three planes to Etihad Airways

Mumbai: Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways is likely to lease three of its Boeing 777-300 ERs to its equity partner Etihad Airways after they return from Turkish Airlines later this year, according to sources.
Jet was earlier planning to induct these wide-bodied planes, which are on lease with Turkish Airlines and will be coming back by October this year on completion of the lease period.
However after Etihad’s proposal, it shelved the plan, they said.
“Jet Airways wanted these three Boeing planes to be put on its international network. However, Etihad requested Jet to lease out these planes to them as it wants them to deploy for its overseas network, which is under consideration,” a source said.

CCI slaps Rs 1 crore fine on Etihad in Jet Airways deal

NEW DELHI: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (Compat) issued notices on Thursday to the competition regulator, Jet Airways and Etihad Airways on a plea against the approval of the acquisition of a 24 per cent stake in the Indian carrier by the United Arab Emirates airlines.

This followed former executive director of Air India Jitendra Bhargava challenging clearance to the deal by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Compat will hear the case on January 9. It rejected Bhargava's appeal for a stay on the CCI approval for the proposed stake sale. "The tribunal would want... to hear both the parties on merits before deciding on the matter," the Compat bench said.

Separately, CCI has imposed a penalty of Rs1 crore on Etihad Airways under Section 43 of the Competition Act for completing parts of the deal even before the regulator could approve the proposed transaction. Bhargava had last week filed two separate appeals with the tribunal. One said the deal would have an adverse effect on competition in India.
Read News In full   ET Bureau | 19 Dec

Abu Dhabi to become Jet’s global hub from Jan. 15

Mumbai: Jet Airways will start using Abu Dhabi as its gateway for international operations starting January 15.
India’s second largest passenger carrier, which recently concluded the process of selling a 24 per cent stake to Etihad Airways, has started two new flights to Dammam in Saudi Arabia from Kochi and Chennai.
The new flights are part of the two airliners’ blueprint of connecting 23 cities in India to Abu Dhabi.
The Chennai-Damman flight will be operated via Abu Dhabi to Dammam, while the Kochi-Dammam route will be serviced by a direct flight, according to a press statement. The airline will deploy a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on these two new services, offering economy and business classes.
Read news in full 16/12/13 Business Line

Supreme Court warns of quashing Jet-Etihad deal if irregularities found

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has made it clear that it would quash the Jet Airways-Etihad Airways deal if there are any irregularities in it.
The apex court also issued notice to Centre and Income Tax Department on a plea seeking direction to the government to place the transcript of tapped telephonic conversation of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia in which she allegedly had talked about the civil aviation sector.
The court passed the order on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking its direction to quash the deal on the ground that it was against public interest as there has been squandering of natural resource i.e. the sky and air space.
At the outset, Swamy raised objection over Centre's non-filing of its response on his plea.
Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran sought further four weeks' time to file the response and also raised the plea of maintainability by saying that earlier, a similar petition, questioning the AirAsia deal, was not entertained by the apex court and Swamy was rather asked to move the Delhi High Court.
Read news in full 06/12/13 PTI/Business Today

Why such huge losses: Jet Airways clarifies

A day after it announced its worst-ever quarterly loss of Rs 998 crore (consolidated figure for Q2 FY14), the top management of India's second-largest airline, Jet Airways, said one-time aircraft maintenance costs and extraneous factors completely outside its control - such as rupee depreciation, increased airport and navigation charges and high aviation jet fuel prices - made their losses mount.
"On the face of it a loss of Rs 891 crore  looks big," said Ravishankar G, CFO, Jet Airways in an earnings call with analysts on Thursday. (He did not quote the consolidated loss figure.) But he explained the various factors beyond the airline's control that added up to hurt it badly. He said that Rs 699 crore out of the total loss posted by the airline was due to the factors Jet could not do anything about.

Close to the clousure of the deal, top executives from Etihad may join Jet by year-end

Mumbai: At least four executives from Etihad Airways are likely to assume key positions in Jet Airways by the end of year, close to the closure to the first FDI deal in Indian aviation after the sector was opened up for investment from foreign carriers last year.
The executives are Willy Boulter, who is currently vice-president commercial strategy and planning at the Abu Dhabi-based carrier, Renyl Rauf, senior manager, mergers and acquisitions, Rangesh Embar, vice-president finance and Rajeev Nambiar, head of sales.
A person close to the development told ET that Boulter already partly operates out of Jet's corporate office in suburban Mumbai. Boulter, the person said, may be considered as Sudheer Raghavan's successor as Jet's next chief commercial officer.
Read news in full 17/10/13 Economic Times