To retain its position as India’s number one international carrier and minimise the impact of the US downgrade of India’s aviation safety rating that bars Indian carriers from increasing flights to America, Jet Airways wants to stitch code-share alliances with Gulf and European carriers.
The Naresh Goyal-led airline, which had a global market share of 12.4% in 2012-13, has sought the aviation ministry’s nod for a code-share agreement with Etihad Airways on its flights from Abu Dhabi to Milan, Chicago and New York. Etihad owns 24% stake in Jet. It has also sought permission to code-share with Air France on Mumbai-Paris and Paris-Milan routes.
The airline, which did not respond to a mail from HT, has said in its application that India’s bilateral agreement with US and Italy allowed for third-country carrier code-share.
Code-share is a ticket-selling deal between two airlines whereby one airline can market and sell the flights of another airline.