Going, Going, Gone

Jet flew with ‘Swiss precision, German engineering, American technology’; something went wrong en route

- Ashwini Phadnis

April 17 will mark a year since the full-service carrier Jet Airways stopped flying in what was then called a “temporary suspension of operations.” A year later, the temporary suspension has become more permanent. Various attempts have been made, meanwhile, to revive the airline but with little success (see accompanying story).

What went wrong with an airline that flew in both Indian and domestic skies and was the preferred choice of many? Analysts say the airline started at a time, 25 years ago, when the industry was waiting for a full-service player as Indian travellers were becoming more discerning and demanding. At that time, the only full-service choice they had was Air India.

Jet Airways provided this alternative. Its promoter Naresh Goyal was clear that the airline had to have Swiss precision, with planes flying on time, along with German engineering, American technology, and Indian hospitality. The airline started with brand new Boeing 737-400 aircraft that provided economy and business class seats. It used imported cutlery in business class and was the first to print passengers’ names on their boarding cards.

During the 25th anniversary celebrations of Jet Airways in May 2018, Dinesh Keskar, then Senior VicePresident, Asia Pacific and India Sales, said, “This aircraft had new engines, bigger cabins, and more seats and the airline started by leasing three aircraft from Ansett Worldwide. This was a risk then as the rent was higher, which meant that the airline had to ensure that it got more revenue.”

At the time Jet began operations foreign airlines were allowed to buy a stake in domestic airlines, so Kuwait Airways and Gulf Air invested in it.