Jet Airways launches full services on JetKonnect; looks to consolidate into a single brand

Jet Airways on Thursday announced the launch of full services on its all-economy subsidiary JetKonnect from December as it looks to consolidate into a single-brand.

The airline last month had announced its intent of having one single brand, in order to avoid confusion between brands like Jet airways, JetKonnect and JetLite.

"In line with the recent announcement of a uniform 'single brand', Jet Airways will commence streamlining and aligning its domestic operations into a single full service product to provide an enhanced and consistent product experience," the airline said in a statement on Thursday.

This means that the airlines' low-cost operations will cease to operate from December. Full service product with complementary meal service would be provided on all domestic flights from December 1st, with the buy-on-board concept being discontinued, the airline said.

"All guests booking flights on or after September 15 2014 for travel on or after December 1 2014, will enjoy the full service experience onboard all Jet Airways and JetKonnect operated flights across the domestic network," it said.

JetLite currently operates a fleet of 11 aircraft under the JetKonnect brand deployed across Jet Airways's domestic network of more than 50 cities. "These aircraft will be progressively repainted in the Jet Airways livery over the coming months," the airline had said earlier.

JetPrivilege members will also earn JPMiles in line with the accrual structure for full service flights.

The competition in the full service segment is expected to intensify with Air India joining the Star Alliance. Vistara – the joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines is likely to begin its full service operations this year, which will further increase the competition for the existing players.

Jet has been in the process of restructuring its domestic operations as it continues to bleed. Cramer Ball, Jet Airways CEO designate last month in a press conference said that the airline's performance has been improving on account of joint strategies. Abu Dhabi-based Eithad holds 24% stakes in the Jet Airways.

In another development, Jet Airways has announced its fifth daily flight connecting Mumbai and Dubai from October 14. The flight would complement the airline's existing daily Gulf operations to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Muscat and Sharjah, as well as to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam from various cities in India.