Qantas announces code share agreement with Jet Airways
Qantas announces code share agreement with Jet Airways
Qantas, world’s second oldest airline and India’s only profitable private carrier, Jet Airways, announced a codeshare arrangement that will expand Qantas’ network within India.
Executive General Manager Qantas Airlines John Borghetti said the codeshare on Jet Airways meant that Qantas now offered a greater than daily frequency from Mumbai to Sydney when combined with the existing Qantas thrice weekly Airbus A330-300 services. In addition, Perth gains a daily codeshare connection to Mumbai. “India is an important and growing market for Qantas and this partnership with Jet Airways provides us with an opportunity to further develop our business. We will also offer Delhi, a new point on the Qantas network, with daily connections from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth via Singapore. Cairns, Darwin and Adelaide will also benefit with excellent connections,” he said.
Jet Airways Chief Executive Officer, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, said the airline was pleased to partner with Qantas and launch the codeshare service on the Delhi-Singapore and Mumbai-Singapore routes. Australia is a popular destination in the Indian market and the codeshare service will offer a seamless experience on the India-Australia route.” Jet Airways executives said that with the acquisition of Sahara Air, it run Sahara as a low cost alternative just like Jetstar is operated by Qantas.
Members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program and Jet Privilege program can earn and redeem points on eligible Qantas and Jet flights between Australia and India. Speaking during the launch briefing, Qantas Group Manager Sales and Distribution Rob Gurney said, “The Australia_India route continues to grow and our partnership with Jet will further grow the market.”
Sujan Chinoy, Indian Consul General based in Sydney said, “Jet Airlines is India’s largest private sector airlines with around 35% of market share and has an unblemished record since its inception. Jet is planning to expand to US and also is planning to establish itself in the Brussels which serves as a hub for Europe. Jet is designated as the 3rd airline by the Govt of India that operates between India and Australia and the code share agreement will take the bilateral relationship further. With the explosive growth of civil aviation in India, there is a great necessity for collaboration and cooperation in this sector.”
Jet Airways has been accorded the “Best Full Service Airline-India” by the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI).
Talking to THE INDIAN, Rob Gurney said, “Indian market has been a big market for Qantas for a long period of time. In Sep 2004 we commenced direct flights to Mumbai and have been talking to Jet Airlines since then. The bilateral service agreement has helped us to tie up. Our next phase is development of long serve flights between India and Australia. At present our flights have a very good connection time in Singapore. With Jet putting their code with Qantas, it adds a new dimension to this sector and provides seamless check-in and sharing of frequent flyer points.”
When asked that customers are demanding more direct flights between the two countries he said, “Many customers are looking for direct flights. India is a vast country and Australia is a vast country as well. As city hubs develop we will be connecting multi cities in India with Australia. The benefit of code share is that there is a natural market between Indian and South East Asia and between South East Asia and Australia and the partnership will help and expand markets. ”
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