Jet Airways to make Abu Dhabi exclusive hub after Etihad deal

India’s largest private carrier Jet Airways recently revealed its plan saying that after Etihad Airways deal is finally through it is going to develop Abu Dhabi as its exclusive hub for flights to North America, South America, Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The airline has named these destinations as ‘exclusive territories’. Jet Airways disclosed its plan after signing the final commercial cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways. The deal between the two airlines is yet to be approved by the aviation authorities of the respective countries.

The deal with Etihad Airways is likely to impact the operations of Jet Airways out of its present hub in Brussels (Belgium) after Abu Dhabi is developed as an exclusive hub. Jet Airways currently operates flights to New York and Toronto via its international hub in Brussels.

Jet Airways said that Canada would also be included in the list of ‘exclusive territories’ as soon as relevant amendments are made to the bilateral air services agreements permitting Jet Airways to start flights to Toronto via Abu Dhabi.

According to Jet Airways, the services from India would be required to be routed to Sharjah and Dubai through Abu Dhabi after it becomes economically viable. Jet Airways might also be allowed to continue to operate nonstop flights between India and destinations in the ‘exclusive territories’ if Etihad Airways agrees that doing so would be economically viable.
 
A recent study indicated that the India-North America market is growing annually by just under 10 percent. At this rate, about 730,000 passengers would be flying every year between the two countries by 2014.