Jet Airways today announced the creation of its European hub in Brussels, which will provide enhanced connectivity between India and Europe, Africa and North America. Jet Airways will work closely with Brussels Airlines and will offer its customers seamless connections to/from Europe, USA, Canada, Africa and India.
Jet Airways will launch daily non stop services from Brussels to Mumbai, New York (Newark), from August 5, 2007 and later this year will also offer daily non stop services from Brussels to Delhi and Toronto. In the future, Jet Airways plans to operate a total of ten daily flights via Brussels connecting cities in India and cities in USA and Canada. Subject to government approval, Jet Airways plan also to operate from Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Chennai to Los Angeles, Chicago and New York (JFK), via its Brussels hub.
Jet Airways and Brussels Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding implementing codeshare, frequent flyer partnership, and through check facilities. Brussels Airlines will implement codeshare on Jet Airways operated flights between Brussels-Mumbai, Brussels-Delhi and Brussels-Toronto. To begin with, Jet Airways plans to codeshare on Brussels Airlines flights from Brussels to Stockholm, Oslo, Birmingham, Geneva and Madrid and will later on expand the codeshare to a total of 25 routes ex Brussels, subject to government approval.
As part of the comprehensive expansion plans of Jet Airways, Chairman Naresh Goyal confirmed that deliveries for the first of the 20 wide body aircraft have commenced. The first B777-300ER and Airbus A330-200 aircraft were received today in Brussels.
Commenting on the set-up of the European hub in Brussels Airport, Jet Airways Chairman, Naresh Goyal, said ‘Jet Airways was looking for an opportunity to combine its expansion plan to USA and Canada with an efficient hub in Europe together with a strong national carrier offering a wide network … we have found it all at Brussels. Jet Airways is also pleased to offer its customers a world class in-flight product, with the latest innovations in the airline industry.”
‘With the signature of this agreement Brussels Airlines increases its portfolio of long haul destinations to a total of 55. On top of this, the perfect match of schedules allows our European and African passengers to smoothly connect to and from India and North America’, says Philippe Vander Putten, CEO Brussels Airlines.
Wilfried Van Assche, CEO of The Brussels Airport Company says: “As the airport of the capital of Europe we want to offer our passengers more direct flights to the rest of the world. A double daily link to India is a unique event in the history of our airport and, therefore, we are extremely proud to welcome the Jet Airways' hub at Brussels. It will not only stimulate the business and tourism links between Belgium and India, but in cooperation with Brussels Airlines, it will also make Brussels Airport a major gateway from Africa and Europe to the Indian sub-continent and North America."
About Jet Airways, the spirit of new India
Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 62 aircraft with 49 classic and next generation Boeing 737-400/700/800/900 aircraft, 3 Airbus A340-300E aircraft, 2 Airbus A330-200 aircraft and 8 modern ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft. With an average fleet age of 5.3 years, the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet in the world. Jet Airways operates over 340 flights daily.
Flights to 50 destinations span the length and breadth of India and beyond, including London Heathrow in U.K., Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Bangkok in Thailand and Kathmandu in Nepal. The airline plans to extend its international operations to North America, Europe, Africa and Asia in phases with the introduction of Wide-body aircraft into its fleet. Since inception in May 1993 until end-March 2007, Jet Airways has flown over 71 million passengers.
www.jetairways.com
About Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is the Belgian group that is at the forefront of a new era in aviation, and offers the widest choice of flights to and from the capital of Europe. On its European routes, Brussels Airlines offers a low cost product, which guarantees the lowest fare, as well as an ultra-flexible product, which offers time-saving and comfort at reasonable prices. Between them, the group's 2.800 employees are responsible for some 300 punctual flights every day to more than 50 premium European airports. Brussels Airlines offers long-haul networks of 14 African destinations, 2 North American destinations, the United Arab Emirates, and China. Brussels Airlines was born on the 7th of November 2006 from the marriage between SN Brussels Airlines - the largest full service Belgian airline - and Virgin Express, the first of the mainland European low cost airlines. Brussels Airlines spread its wings for the first time on the 25th of March 2007.
www.brusselsairlines.com
About Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is the gateway to the capital of Europe, directly connecting yearly 17 million passengers to more than 200 cities across Europe and the world.
Brussels Airport is dedicated to become the most European, most Efficient and most Welcoming airport. Over the past five years, passengers have consistently ranked Brussels Airport among the very best European airports. The airport was awarded best airport in Europe in 2005, and received the Airport People award (most courteous and customer friendly airport staff) in 2006.
www.brusselsairport.be
Ragini CHOPRA
Vice President Corporate Communication & PR
New Delhi, India
Tel: +91114164 5080
Fax:+91114609 5084
[email protected]