Jet Airways' international expansion plans require another operational hub in Europe

New Delhi: Persisting with the expansion of its international network, even though industry conditions continue to be adverse, India's largest private carrier, Jet Airways, is now scouting around for a second international hub alongside Brussels. According to the airline's chief executive the second operational hub in Europe is required as part of the next phase of the carrier's worldwide growth plan.

"Our existing hub in Brussels is working very well. We have to strengthen it further. But we don't want to put all our eggs in one basket," Jet Airways CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said here. He also said talks were on with governments and concerned agencies in Switzerland, Germany and Italy, though "nothing concrete has emerged so far".

Currently, the airline is offering services to 20 international destinations and the number is expected to increase to 22 by October-end this year.

On the issue of high jet fuel prices, Prock-Schauer maintained that unless fuel prices in India came down "significantly" there would be no relief either for the industry or travellers. Oil prices, though down considerably from the all-time highs, are still not low enough, very likely, to prevent Jet from raising fares by another 10 per cent, he said.

Prock-Schauer said the airline would consider the rupee price of aviation turbine fuel early next month before taking a decision.