Air France-KLM and Jet Airways to enter into joint venture
Air France-KLM and Jet Airways are set to engage in an agreement to expand their frequent flyer programmes, circuits, metal neutrality, cargo and engineering services.
According to Pieter Elbers, chief of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France-KLM – the Franco-Dutch airline holding company, and Jet Airways – a major Indian international full-service airline, will soon enter into a commercial joint venture, for development of synergies for additional routes, frequent flyer programmes, as well as cargo and engineering, amongst other prospects.
Under the venture, ‘metal neutrality’ will also be a part of the agreement. It is a concept wherein the alliance partners share passengers as well as ticket sales and are invested in each others’ operations.
The venture would likely give Jet Airways, an unmatched reach into the western airspace without necessarily having to deploy its own planes. Meanwhile, the airline is considering to order around 100 Boeing 737 Max planes to deepen its reach within domestic air routes in India.
Though during September this year, Franck Terner, CEO, Air France hinted about the plans to deepen ties with Jet Airways, it is yet to be confirmed as to when the two will enter into the venture.
Currently, Jet Airways has code share partnerships with Air France-KLM , Air France, and US’ Delta Air Lines. The partnerships enable its passengers access to 34 American and 43 European destinations via European hub, Amsterdam, and 27 via Paris.
