India's Jet Airways forges alliance with Brussels Airlines

Indian carrier Jet Airways is teaming up with Brussels Airlines and has also firmed up plans to launch services to New York and Vancouver via its new European hub in Brussels.

Jet’s Mumbai-Brussels-New York Newark daily service starts 5 August using Boeing 777s; while Jet’s Delhi-Brussels-Toronto daily service begins 1 September using Airbus A330s.

In a separate development, a Jet Airways spokeswoman in Mumbai, India, says Jet and Brussels Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding involving a frequent flyer programme tie-up, sharing of check-in facilities and a codeshare deal.

Brussels Airlines plans to codeshare on Jet’s international services via Brussels, says the spokeswoman, but she declines to say when the codeharing will start because “it is subject to approval by the two governments.”

Jet also plans to eventually launch services from other cities in India - namely Bangalore, Ahmadabad and Chennai – to destinations in North America such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York JFK, she adds.

While the tie-up gives Brussels Airlines access to India, Jet potentially gains access to markets such as Africa and more destinations in Europe.

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