In new avatar, Jet Airways has 10 guiding principles for smooth take off

Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor makes no secret of his plans to relaunch the once grounded airline in a way that it will touch new highs once again.

Days after the company conducted its test flight to and from Hyderabad for obtaining the air operator certificate (AOC), Kapoor laid out his plans for operating the airline successfully. The airline will announce its aircraft order soon after it receives its air operator certificate (AOC), Kapoor noted.

Here are some of Sanjiv Kapoor’s big plans:

Technologically updated

Jet will have the best possible app, website and IT systems and services among all Indian carriers without losing the human touch, Kapoor said on Friday.

However, in an email addressed to employees, Kapoor said he keeps humans above machines. “Human interaction cannot be fully replaced by technology — it must always be there as a backup, especially when things go wrong (during irregular operations, etc),” he said.

Top three priorities of a CEO

Kapoor said the top 3 priorities for any CEO should be to:

1. Create the right culture.

2. Hire the best people, treat them well, and pay them fairly and on-time.

3. Help develop the best strategy.

Kapoor’s 10 guiding principles

The CEO, in his email, enlisted 10 guiding principles for employees.

Principle 1: As an airline, safety is paramount and therefore, there will be absolutely no room for short-cuts or compromises.

Principle 2: Common sense, values and principles will guide Jet Airways and not some “rigid” rulebook. At all levels, people will be empowered to make decisions by values and common sense; values such as respect, fairness, empathy, transparency, decency and hard work.

Principle 3: The company’s culture will be based on love, passion and mutual respect and not fear.

Principle 4: Open, transparent and regular communication between senior management and other employees is a must.

Principle 5: Political views should be kept outside the office.

Principle 6: There should be no “chalta hai (anything goes)” attitude.

Principle 7: Professionalism must be maintained in our dealings and our appearances, at work or outside of work.

Principle 8: The results and output of each employee will be the final adjudicator for efforts and contribution, and not face-time.

Principle 9: A desire to think Different while being customer-driven will be the company’s guiding principle.

Principle 10: Jet Airways is a people-focused airline for the digital age.

Also read: Jet Airways gets security clearance, set to relaunch soon
On May 5, Jet Airways conducted its test flight to and from Hyderabad in a step towards obtaining the AOC.

The airline in its old avatar was owned by Naresh Goyal and had operated its last flight on April 17, 2019. The Jalan-Kalrock Consortium is currently the promoter of Jet Airways.
Kapoor’s email, which has been accessed by PTI, said the airline will “very soon conduct” its proving flight, the last step before obtaining the AOC.

Proving flights are similar to commercial flight with officials of aviation regulator DGCA, executives and flight crew of the carrier concerned on board.

After obtaining the AOC, Jet Airways plans to restart commercial flights in the July-September quarter.

(With inputs from agencies)