Jet Airways and Emirates Airline, have today announced their partnership plans spanning a reciprocal frequent flyer arrangement and unilateral code share agreement.
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 programme, may earn and redeem miles across Emirates’ rapidly-expanding international network, with the exception of flights between India and Dubai. Members of Emirates’ Skywards programme may also earn and redeem miles on all Jet Airways flights operating within India.
The same day, Emirates will also commence a unilateral code share on Jet Airways’ daily flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to and from Dubai, offering passengers enhanced connectivity and a range of services between India and Dubai.
Jet Airways operates daily services on the Mumbai/New Delhi-Dubai sectors with it’s Airbus A330-200 and Boeing B737-800 aircraft respectively, with a two-class configuration: Première (Business) and Economy. Jet Airways’ flights on these sectors will be identified with its ‘9W’ code as well as with the Emirates ‘EK’ code.
According to Mr. Wolfgang Prock Schauer, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways: “Dubai is an important market for Jet Airways and there is significant demand from our customers to travel to and beyond Dubai. 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.”
Mr. Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West Asia, Indian Ocean and Africa stated: “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.”
Currently, Jet Airways also has code share agreements with Air Canada, American Airlines, ANA, Brussels Airlines, Etihad, Qantas and JetLite.