With A Slumping Economy Comes Consolidation

Jet Airways has taken another step to insure its very survival. The struggling Indian international carrier -- which formed an "alliance" with former domestic rival Kingfisher in October, and promptly slashed some 1,900 jobs -- announced Thursday it will form another "partnership," this one with Emirates.

"Effective December 15, 2008, the two airlines will launch a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement whereby members of Jet Airways' JetPrivilege, India's largest frequent flyer program, may earn and redeem miles across Emirates' rapidly-expanding international network, with the exception of flights between India and Dubai," reads a joint statement from both airlines. "Members of Emirates' Skywards program may also earn and redeem miles on all Jet Airways flights operating within India."

Emirates will also code share on Jet Airways' daily flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to and from Dubai, offering its passengers new services between the two destinations.

"Dubai is an important market for Jet Airways and there is significant demand from our customers to travel to and beyond Dubai," said Jet Airways CEO Wolfgang Prock Schauer. "We are delighted to be able to get this exciting, new agreement up and running quickly for the benefit of our customers. The frequent flyer partnership with Emirates, particularly, is a mutually beneficial one, enabling JetPrivilege members to tap into Emirates' impressive international network while earning and redeeming frequent flyer miles, and vice-versa vis-à-vis Jet Airways' unmatched pan-India domestic network."

Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West Asia, Indian Ocean and Africa, added "The agreements between Emirates and Jet represent a significant step forward in strengthening the relationship between our two airlines and between long-standing partners, India and the UAE. The pact will enable us to offer passengers enhanced flexibility and at the same time it will boost trade and commerce between the two countries."

Jet Airways also has code share agreements with Air Canada, American Airlines, ANA, Brussels Airlines, Etihad, and Qantas, as well as with its regional subsidiary JetLite.

FMI: www.jetairways.com, www.emirates.com