The Hindu Business Line : JetLite applies for operating to Gulf

JetLite has applied to the Government to operate flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait, the airlines Chief Executive, Mr Garry Kingshott, said on Friday.

“The airline plans to launch low-cost flights from India to the Gulf region by the first quarter of next year if the Government gives us the required permission,” Mr Kingshott said. The airline, which earlier used to operate as Air Sahara till Jet Airways purchased it, plans to use the Boeing 737 aircraft, currently in its fleet, to operate flights to the Gulf.

Earlier this month, the Government announced that private sector airlines would be allowed to operate to the Gulf from January next year, thereby ending the monopoly of state-owned airlines for operating to the region. The Government has permitted Jet Airways to operate 70 flights a week from India to the Gulf, with a majority of the flights being from Kerala.

Meanwhile, JetLite plans to increase its presence in the domestic sector and is to operate 27 new flights. Admitting it had gone in for massive downsizing after the buyout was completed, Mr Kingshott ruled out any more job cuts. “We are now down to a staff strength of 2,100 people. This helps us have a staff strength of about 100 staff for every aircraft in the fleet. As the airline grows we would look to add more staff,” he added.