Duncan Gambrill became Jet Airways' general manager UK and Ireland on 17 March, having been vice president head of travel EMEA at JPMorgan Chase. He has also worked for American Express and bmi.
How is the Brussels hub going? Why Belgium rather than Heathrow?
Jet Airways' decision to establish a European hub in Brussels has proved to be a success, given the numerous advantages it offers us. Firstly, Brussels is the headquarters of the European Union, and its physical location combined with Brussels Airlines' network, make it the natural gateway to Europe and Africa (Jet Airways has forged a code-share agreement with SN [Brussels Airlines], enabling us to tap into their extensive network and offer our passengers excellent connectivity within Europe, via Brussels).
Secondly, the single terminal Brussels airport has been designed to serve transfer traffic, facilitating quick, easy and seamless connections for our passengers.
Brussels further distinguishes itself as one of the most convenient and passenger-friendly airports in Europe thanks to its multilingual staff, English signage and lack of overcrowding. In addition it provides us with proper infrastructure and support in terms of easy availability and allocation of landing slots, parking bays etc.
Hence the decision to establish a hub in Brussels as opposed to more crowded airports such as Heathrow, where obtaining simultaneous departure gates and slots is almost impossible.
You've just started to Abu Dhabi - what are going to be the big new markets?
Jet Airways will commence operations on the Delhi-Hong Kong sector, effective 5 June and on the Mumbai-Shanghai-San Francisco sector, effective 14 June subject to government approvals. The airline also plans to operate services to Dubai and Saudi Arabia from India in the near future.
What is the domestic Indian aviation scene at the moment, with Kingfisher and other low-cost start-ups?
The current domestic market could be heading for a shakeup with only the fittest surviving and then being in a position to rebuild the market. Jet Airways believes that consolidation in the industry will help it in future because of the following benefits: a) improvement of yields to realistic levels; and b) control on fleet growth among airlines to rationalise capacity addition in the market vis-”-vis demand.
These will have a positive impact on the sustenance and growth of the industry due to healthier bottom-lines. According to the figures released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India, market share for February 2008 was as follows:
Jet Airways (23.2%) + JetLite (7.4%) = 30.6%
Kingfisher (14.2%) + Deccan (14.6%) = 28.8%
Indian: 14.4%
SpiceJet: 10.6%
IndiGo: 9.9%
GoAir: 4.4%
Paramount: 1.2%
What is the status of the Indian aviation market? To what extent is it growing?
The Indian aviation market continues to grow rapidly, although previous growth forecasts might need to be revised, primarily on account of spiralling fuel prices. The addition of excess capacity in the domestic aviation market is another source of worry.
The Indian market is very dynamic and witnessing consistent economic and socio-demographic changes. This ongoing development has expanded the total passenger base as well as classified it into the premium segment on one side and the price-conscious segment on the other side, both now willing to spend in tune with their increased disposable income.
The travel and hospitality industries offer widespread options catering to these new segments of passengers. Therefore airlines should focus their efforts towards identifying and effectively targeting the growing market segments with realistic fare offerings. This will help in the sustained growth of the industry as a whole as well as the operators individually.
Are you a member of any airline alliance, or do you have any plans to join one?
Jet Airways is currently not a member of any airline alliance. With regard to being part of any such alliance in the future, the proposal is currently under evaluation.
What is the latest with your fifth freedom rights? Will you apply for London rights?
Jet Airways does not intend to operate any 5th freedom flights ex-London at least in the near future.
What fleet developments have you had/do you have in store?
Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 81 aircraft - with an average fleet age of 4.2 years, it is one of the youngest in the world. We have also ordered 12 Airbus 330-200 aircraft of which eight have already been delivered, with the remaining four aircraft to be delivered between May and October.
The airline has also exercised the option for acquiring three additional Boeing 777”300 ERs for delivery during 2009 and five Airbus A330-200s for delivery between October 2009 and first quarter of 2011.
Furthermore, Jet Airways recently executed a Purchase Agreement to acquire 20 Boeing 737-800s for delivery between October 2012 and December 2014, subject to requisite regulatory approvals. We also have the option of acquiring an additional ten, with deliveries slated between August 2013 and February 2015. Jet Airways will also be acquiring ten Boeing 787-8 series aircraft, subject to requisite regulatory approvals, scheduled to be delivered between July 2011 and December 2012.