The Hindu Business Line : `We both believe in a strong, sustainable partnership'

After a brief interaction at the recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Chief Executive of Brussels Airlines, Mr Philippe Vander Putten, spoke with Business Line in greater detail. Brussels Airlines has tied up with Jet Airways, which is developing its hub at Brussels airport and will launch flights through Brussels airport, Brussels Airlines' home base, from early August.

Excerpts from the interview:

What advantages does the tie-up with Jet Airways offer Brussels Airlines?

The partnership with Jet Airways is the most important partnership deal in the recent history of our airline, clearly resulting in a win-win for Brussels Airlines, Jet Airways and our home-base, Brussels airport. First of all, we can now offer our passengers a direct link to India. So far, we did not offer a travel solution for our clients wanting to travel via our network to and from India. So, we will be able to enlarge our network offering with a booming country.

Secondly, we will feed the Jet Airways long-haul services by connecting passengers transferring on our European and African flights. For example, together with Jet Airways we will be able to offer a client a travel solution between Geneva and Delhi (Geneva- Brussels on Brussels Airlines, Brussels-Delhi on Jet Airways) or Senegal and Mumbai (Senegal-Brussels on Brussels Airlines and Brussels-Mumbai on Jet Airways).

Also, the frequent flyer programmes of our two airlines will be linked. A passenger will be able to use Brussels Airlines miles for travel on Jet Airways, and vice-versa. The partnership is also good news for our cargo clients as we will now be able to forward freight between India and Africa.

What changes have been effected to ensure that passengers can connect with each airline?

The long-haul flights from Jet Airways fit perfectly in the long- and medium-haul departures and arrivals of Brussels Airlines. As a result, we can offer very smooth, comfortable and fast connections between the two airlines. Passengers will not lose time between two flights as compared to transferring through other busy competing airports in Europe.

To how many European cities has the tie-up with Jet been agreed upon?

At this stage we have five cities. In the first phase, the Jet Airways code, 9W, will be put on Brussels Airlines operated flights to and from Stockholm's Bromma Airport, Birmingham, Geneva, Oslo and Madrid.

Other routes are possible, depending on ongoing traffic rights discussions. The purpose is to increase this to over 20 European cities. These flights will be offered in the very near future. Brussels Airlines will put its SN code on Jet Airways flights operated to Delhi, Mumbai and Toronto.

Is the tie-up with Jet Airways inclusive or are you open to tying up with other airlines from India?

Given the importance of Jet Airways and given the fact that no other airline from India is operating to and from Brussels, we have no intention of tying up with other airlines. We strongly believe in the success of the partnership with Jet Airways.

Is the tie-up with Jet Airways for a limited period of time or is it open-ended?

This is company-confidential information but we both believe in a strong, sustainable partnership.

Do you have such tie-ups with other airlines around the world?

Brussels Airlines has a strong partnership with American Airlines (New York, Chicago and several onward connections) and we also work in the long haul segment together with Etihad Airways (Etihad Airways flights between Brussels and Abu Dhabi/Dubai only) and Hainan Airlines of China (Brussels-Beijing only). In Europe we have code share arrangements with several airlines as well (British Airways, Finnair and Swiss, among others).

Brussels Airlines has a tie-up with the Bird Group in India. Will that be affected now?

No.

How many additional passengers and increase in revenues do you see being generated due to the tie-up with Jet?

This is company-confidential information and I can't disclose it.

What kind of cooperation do you see with Jet Airways as a result of the current tie-up?

We strongly believe in the partnership with Jet Airways and we will do everything within our possibilities to make this cooperation a success for both Jet Airways and Brussels Airlines. At this stage, no more information can be given.

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