JettWings Airways will become the latest Indian airline when it starts operations later this year. Let’s take a look at what this airline’s plans are.
First airline to be based in NorthEast India
On 14th June 2023, JettWings Airways announced that it has obtained a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India. The airline is now in the process of applying for Air Operators Permit which will enable it to launch operations. Once all the approvals are granted, JettWings Airways will become the first airline to call NorthEast India its home and have its base at Guwahati in the state of Assam.
The airline is in the process of finalising its aircraft, which it expects to complete before the year-end as it plans to start operations by October 2023. The airline says that it will start operations with just two aircraft. Some media reports suggest that the carrier will have a fleet of 4 Embraer E175s with Business and Premium Economy Class although nothing has been confirmed by the airline yet. It says that it plans to “introduce a fleet of modern flight deck turbo fan aircrafts in addition to turbo propelled ones”. ATR72 is also a strong contender for the airline’s fleet.
JettWings Airways said that it will lease these aircraft from companies recommended by the government of India and has earmarked INR 100 crore for the initial funding. The airline will initially focus on improving connecting in the NorthEastern states of India before gradually expanding in the entire country.
Our target is to connect the entire country with the North east at an affordable airfare.
the airline said.
Interestingly, the airline also has plans to expand internationally in the coming years but that is optimistic to say the least.
Sanjive Narain, Chairman of JettWings Airways, said the government’s efforts to improve regional connectivity has significantly ramped up trade for particular regions, while fostering economic growth and enhancing the tourism sector.
The Government’s unwavering commitment and efforts to improve air connectivity through RCS by connecting regional airports has significantly improved trade for particular regions while fostering economic growth and has given huge fillip to the development of the tourism sector. We believe that under the UDAN Scheme, we have a unique opportunity to make significant impact on the Northeast region by improving connectivity and creating new economic opportunities.
he said.
Stay up to date: Sign up for my newsletter to never miss latest Aviation and Travel news.
The airline also plans to offer a loyalty program to reward frequent flyers, eventually.
We are thankful to Ministry of Civil Aviation for providing us the Initial NOC and we will be working closely with DGCA to complete our readiness and formalities for Schedule Commuter Airlines operations. Once we are granted the AOC, we strongly believe and commit to becoming a reliable and sustainable airline with its roots deeply entrenched in North East India, connecting unique yet important destinations. An airline born in the North East with the sense of doing business in India was much needed and Jettwings Airways shall strive to achieve the same in next few months of our preparations as we near take off.
said Sanjay Aditya Singh, Co-Founder and CEO, Jettwings Airways.
The airline says that although it is entering a highly competitive aviation market, it is “confident that it can carve out a niche for itself by offering a unique and innovative travel experience”.
Will this work?
Regional airlines in India have had a tough luck when it comes to surviving in one of the toughest aviation markets in the world. But JettWings Airways seems to be doing what no airline has done before. It wants to focus on NorthEastern part of India only and nothing else.
Currently, FlyBig focuses on connecting this part of India. It has multiple daily flights connecting different cities. However, JettWings Airways’ operating model seems to be different. It plans on offering Business and Premium Economy seating. It’s not yet known whether Economy will be offered or it will just stick to Business and Premium Economy. In my opinion, offering just these two classes of service is not a good idea at all as Economy passengers makeup a large chunk of passengers in the India, a market which is dominated by low-cost carriers.
JettWings Airways is still in early stages and before the first flight takes off, all of this is just a dream. However, with two new airlines planning to start operations in the Indian domestic market this year – FLY91 and JettWings Airways, I am excited nonetheless for what’s in store for us.
Featured image by JettWings Airways
What do you think of JettWings Airways and its plans? Let me know in the comments section below.
Follow IH Aviation and Travel on Social Media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.