Jet is now as big and wide as the Sahara

In a little over 12 years, Jet Airways has proved what it takes to be the best airline in India. Started at a time when aviation industry was just getting excited about the boom in air travel, Jet Airways had played a steady game, and improving its services through the time. So many players just closed shop as they could not hold their own in the face of competition - East West Airlines, Modi Luft and so many more that I do not even remember anymore. Jet, in the meanwhile, has been busy jetting through the Indian skies.



I have travelled with quite a few airlines within India - Indian Airlines (now called Indian), Jet Airways, Air Deccan, Air India and Kingfisher Airlines. Air Deccan and Kingfisher are fairly recent players in the Indian aviation markets. But before Kingfisher came on, I bet, Jet was probably the only airline that gave 5 star service in the skies. No other airline came close to service quality. Talk about warm moist towels to wipe one's face before take off, nice tasty juices and other pampering comforts. Ofcourse, Kingfisher is giving a tough competition on the service arena with great gourmet meals, inflight video entertainment etc. But it is not service alone that counts. Right?

Air Deccan, Go Air and Spice Jet are taking budget air travel to new levels each day. Just when you thought travelling by air is not that economical, these airlines are bringing down the cost to levels that were previously unimaginable. Jet had to contend with increasing competition from these budget players. But Jet has already created its niche. And looking at how the company has maintained itself through tumultous times and good times, I believe they will continue to dominate the Indian skies for a long time to come, budget air travel or not. And they are the only private airline (other than erstwhile Air Sahara) to offer flights to international destinations - London, Singapore, Colombo etc.

With buying out Air Sahara, Jet has made a master stroke. Regardless of Left parties complaining about Jet trying to get monopoly over the aviation market, I think this would create a better atmosphere for greater competition. Jet now has one of the biggest domestic aviation infrastructure, second only to Indian. A huge gain it has been. And all this has kept the man at the helm of it all - Naresh Goyal - down to earth. You have to read this biographical article to read his climb to prominence. It is very inspiring.

All the best to Naresh Goyal and his Jet Airways team - from an ardent Jet Airways fan, a Jet Priviledge member.