Issue 2: November 2005 - January 2006

by: Belson Coutinho, Manager E-Commerce & Global Distribution, Jet Airways

Looking back at the first E-Conference in Frankfurt, it was one of the best sessions among many that I have attended. The topics discussed during the conference and networking opportunities especially with some GNE’s has made this conference memorable and educative. However, returning back meant going through the project plan, last minute checks of business logic, approving web pages, creatives and media plans…all this to get ready to launch yet another first in the Indian aviation industry.

Commencing October 10, 2005, Jet Airways, India’s leading airline, became the first domestic airline in India to offer a distinctive online facility of Web Check-in to all our valued passengers.

With this, Jet Airways has introduced yet another pioneering initiative that allows customers not only to select their preferred seat but also to print their boarding pass on www.jetairways.com.

This specialized Web Check-in facility is currently available for passengers holding a confirmed and valid E-ticket, between 48 hours and 60 minutes prior to their flight departure. E-tickets can be issued through travel agents, jetairways.com, Jet Airways airport and city offices.

Jet Airways.com

Jet Airways web presence dates way back to 1997 when it was initially used to disseminate information on our product, services and schedules. www.jetairways.com was upgraded in 2004 and is now managed 24x7 using Microsoft Content Management System which enables us to update content real time.

The FFP program (Jet Privilege) went online with this upgraded web site and our FFP members can now manage their account and profile, check miles and claim retro miles online. We have a dedicated

E-commerce team that forms an integral part of our strong Marketing setup. Apart from focusing on content management and daily updates, we also focus on search engine optimization, online promotions, new applications and all this is achieved through constant research which is one of the key activities among the team members.

Our focus on our key objective continues i.e. to position jetairways.com as the platform to deliver product enhancements across the airline.

This again was India’s first “e-ticket” in its true sense which follows and meets all IATA mandates and guidelines.

Online bookings and E-ticketing

Jet Airways introduced online bookings in April 2004 where a customer can book, pay and print his e-ticket online on jetairways.com. This again was India’s first “e-ticket” in its true sense which follows and meets all IATA mandates and guidelines. The objective here is to provide customers the ability to manage their travel seamlessly and also increase direct sales there by reducing distribution cost.

Electronic Ticket is Jet Airways' ticketless travel service. An innovative way of using technology for issuing air tickets electronically, which eliminates traditional paper tickets and creates an electronically held record (ticket) of the transaction. This electronic image of the ticket is stored in the Jet Airways reservation system. E-ticket is a convenient, fast and safe option to the regular physical paper ticket. Now no more worries about losing or having the ticket stolen.

After initially launching this e-ticketing facility on our website in April 2004, we subsequently extended it to our direct selling counters. We have 28 cities live with e-ticketing across 60 ticketing counters in India and are in the process of implementing at the remaining cities. We have also implemented e-ticketing at 22 of our overseas GSA offices.

Jet Airways has also implemented e-ticketing for Travel Agents through different GDS’s in the USA, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and Canada. We are in the process of implementing in other markets. In fact we were the first Indian carrier to implement e-ticketing for travel agents through GDS’s (May 2005). We have also implemented e-ticketing through all BSP agents in India (October 2005). We offer e-ticketing through Amadeus, Abacus, Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan. We will achieve the ultimate in E-ticketing when we implement Interline E-ticketing and have already initiated work for the same.

Our e-commerce strategy focuses on customer convenience and seamless travel, while at the same time uses technology to reduce our airline´s costs. Our next focus is on self-service kiosk check-in.

About Jet Airways

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 40 classic and next generation Boeing 737-400/700/800/900 aircraft, 3 A340-300E aircraft and 8 modern ATR72-500 Turboprop aircraft. With an average age of a little over 4.6 years, the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet in the world. Approximately 24,000 passengers travel daily on Jet Airways' 280 flights to 48 destinations that span the length and breadth of India and beyond, including Colombo in Sri Lanka, Kathmandu in Nepal, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and London Heathrow, UK. Since inception in May 1993 until end-September 2005, Jet Airways has flown over 57.2. million passengers.

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