Via Online Travel Review, Jet Airways has requested permission from its government to join the Star Alliance.
In May of 2010 I wrote about the possibility, and then noted back in January that the Indian government was pushing back on the idea.
Air India was supposed to join Star, but the state-owned airline is such a basket case that they became the only carrier ever to have their invitation revoked. The Indian government is exceptionally protectionist in favor of its flag carrier, not just against foreign airlines (which is common throughout the world) but even against domestic Indian upstarts. No doubt the government doesn’t like this idea.
Jet Airways clearly has been looking to Star, its Delta partnership ends October 15th, so it’s no longer playing footsie with everyone. Jet is the largest carrier in India, and would be a great alliance addition…
The state owned Air India will never come up to the international standards due to the politically influenced bureaucracy and the Fed. Govt. will not allow other private airlines to join an alliance ahead of Air India. So, things will stay in limbo for ever.
But if Jet can oil some hands here and there within the same bureaucracy – that will be an awesome thing for us travelers with Jet as a *A partner!
I wouldn’t say that jet is up to international standards either. the birds they’re flying between Brussels and Mumbai smell increasingly like soiled diapers and cheap alcohol every time I fly.