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Here's why Jet Airways replaced Brussels with Amsterdam as new European hub

Jet Airways has also entered into a codeshare partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

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Jet Airways on Monday indicated it was more interested in stitching partnerships with other international carriers through codeshare pacts than joining any of the three global clubs and said its new European gateway Amsterdam offers stronger proposition over Brussels.

The domestic carrier is all set to commence operations from Dutch capital Amsterdam with daily non-stop flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Toronto from March 27. As of now Brussels is its European hub for international services.

The Mumbai-based private airline has also entered into a codeshare partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines to provide convenient connections for passengers to and from destinations across Europe and North America via Amsterdam.

"I work with partners. For me bilaterally is the way that this airline has always grown. And we work with all the airlines across all the three alliances. They have partners with Star (Alliance), OneWorld and Sky Team. All of them are our partners. And they work bilaterally," Jet Airways Whole-Time Director Guarang Shetty told reporters here.

Star Alliance, OneWorld and Sky Team are the global airlines' clubs providing marketing branding to facilitate travellers making inter-airline codeshare connections within countries. Among the two domestic carriers -- Air India and Jet Airways -- flying international, only the former has joined one of these clubs. Air India became a part of 27-member Star Alliance in July 2014.

The now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines had also announced its plans to join Oneworld but it stopped operations before it could be granted the membership. The SkyTeam had reportedly evinced interest in taking Jet Airways onboard after one of its members Etihad Airways picked up 24% stake in it.

"It is all about being bilateral where there is branding, it is not about conflict. It is about offering choice (to passengers). For me its is all about choice," he said.

He said the strategic partnership with KLM and Delta Air Lines will offer one stop codeshare access to 30 destinations across Europe and 11 destinations in the US and Canada. KLM and Delta are significant players in the US, Canada and Europe, Shetty said, adding, "very clearly there is an added advantage in terms of foot print and deliveries." The strategic codeshare partnerships with KLM and Delta will enable Jet Airways to offer wider access, unmatched connectivity and seamless travel from India to key destinations in Europe and North America, he said.

Schedules of all three flights have been planned to allow quick, convenient and seamless connections between India and Toronto via Amsterdam, the airline said. "With this new partnership with Jet Airways we are happy to join hands in order to extend our services to more customers all over the world. Together with our Joint Venture partner Delta we will transfer passengers smoothly and swiftly between three continents and via KLM's home base Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, thus expanding choice and connectivity for our customers," KLM general manager for Indian sub-continent Max Smits said.

"This new agreement with Jet Airways and KLM provides a direct link between India and the US. These flights enhance connectivity between these two countries, offering one-stop access to leading cities in the US from the India's key hubs," said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Regional Director Sales (Africa, Middle East and Indian subcontinent), Delta Air Lines. 

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