Jet Airways, the largest domestic airline, will merge its no-frills brands JetLite and Jet Konnect and operate under the brand name of the latter.
The move to arrest losses and compete with other low-cost airlines had been in the management's mind for some time, but the decision has been taken now. No date has been announced regarding the re-branding exercise.
The airline's spokesperson did not respond to an email query and text messages. A senior executive, however, confirmed the move.
We see an uptick in corporate business. We will have Jet Airways full service and Jet Konnect. All Boeing 737s of Konnect will have two classes,'' he said.
Currently, the airline operates the two no-frills brands and a full service brand in the domestic sector.
"JetLite does not have a wider passenger appeal. The re-branding would help us improve market share,'' said a source. Re-branding would also help the airline to attract corporate and business traffic, which is migrating to low-cost carrier IndiGo.
According to the Directorate General for Civil Aviation's November data, Jet Airways plus JetLite have a market share of 27.1 per cent. JetLite's share is 7.3 per cent, while the balance comes from Jet Airways.
Source http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/jet-to-merge-two-low-cost-carriers-/461052/