Kingfisher Airlines 5-Star ranking to remain valid until more details of the alliance with Jet Airways are available

The announcement of the "alliance" between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines has brought into focus the ability of Kingfisher Airlines to maintain its worldwide reputation as an official 5-Star status airline.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said "it is much too early to see if this alliance between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines will require a re-examination of Kingfisher Airlines 5-Star status. From our research / evaluation standpoint there are clear discrepancies in delivered service quality between these Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. Experience suggests that this alliance may well result in some form merger between the two airlines in the near future, and we would then have to re-examine the ability of Kingfisher Airlines to maintain their 5-Star status."

"Whilst Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways have much more important matters to deal with at this time than their Star Rating status, we have to keep a close eye on changes, and maintain the integrity of the Star Ranking programme by such vigilance. Jet Airways is not at a 5-Star level, and if the proposed alliance between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines was to result in a dilution of the presently very high quality standards achieved by Kingfisher Airlines, we would have no option but to adjust Kingfisher Airlines rating".

"I am aware that both companies have said they will be maintaining their separate legal entities and brand entities whilst examining co-branding opportunities. That in itself suggest that a Star Rating revisal may be needed sooner rather than later, since such co-branding may result in too many areas of variable quality. There seem to be several versions of the planned details behind such an alliance in circulation, and now it is appropriate to let the dust settle and await the outcome" added Plaisted.




 

Press and Media enquiries should be directed to:

Mr Peter Miller
Director Marketing - SKYTRAX
Email :  miller@airlinequality.com