It's a win-win deal, this one

The Jet-Sahara deal is in the interest of the two airlines, aviation industry and the consumers, feels Air Sahara president Alok Sharma.

"It is a win-win deal for both the airlines. Consolidation in the sector had to happen for the industry to grow. An industry that is ill is not in the interest of the nation or the consumers," he said, soon after the Jet-Sahara deal was officially announced.

With two mergers in the works, size would be key for survival in the domestic aviation market, he added. He concedes that size has become an important criteria for success in the aviation sector.

"Air Sahara, for instance, needed size to grow its market share," he said. Post merger, Jet and Sahara would have a combined domestic market share of around 33%.

"The two mergers - AI-IA and Jet-Sahara - will change the contours of the industry in the coming years," he added.

As regards issues concerning its 3,700-odd employees, Sharma said that the group will ensure that interests of its employees are taken care of. "The Sahara group would accommodate all the employees within its group who decide not to join Jet Airways," he said.

Discounting any foreseeable hitch in completing the transaction in regards to getting clearances from the government - something which seemingly derailed it last time around - he said this time around the government approvals for the deal are already in place.

Sharma said apart from Air Sahara’s flying rights and parking slots, Jet would also enjoy the use of the 10 Boeing 737 aircraft that Sahara had placed orders for.