New Delhi: India's largest private sector airline by market share Jet Airways India Ltd is holding discussions with two major international airlines alliances -- Star Alliance Services GmbH and SkyTeam, to join the groupings in a bid to expand its international operations, media reports from China said, citing the airline's promoter Naresh Goyal.
Recently, the aviation consulting firm Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) had also said in its report that Jet Airways may join the Star Alliance before the Indian debt-laden national carrier Air India Ltd.
Notably, Air India was denied permission last year by Star Alliance to join the grouping on the grounds that it did not meet the conditions that were contractually agreed upon in 2007.
Goyal was speaking on the sidelines of the 68th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Beijing Monday.
Star Alliance has about 27 member airlines that include Air Canada, Air China Ltd, ANA, Lufthansa Technik AG and Singapore Airlines Ltd, while, Skyteam has member airlines like Air France SA, China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd and Delta Airlines Inc, among others.
Moreover, Jet Airways is also planning to start its global operations to destinations that are more financially viable such as Munich, Frankfurt and Paris.
"We want to go to a few places in Europe and we are looking at those destinations which will make money like Paris, Munich and Frankfurt to name a few. We still want to go beyond India," Goyal said.
For the proposed expansion of its overseas operations, the airline is considering inducting four more A330-300 aircraft by early part of the next financial year 2013-14, the Economic Times reported.
CAPA had also said that Jet Airways is also expected to place a large order for over 100 aircraft in 2012-13, to meet both replacement and growth requirements.
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