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This article was first published 10 years ago

Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

June 19, 2014 12:54 IST

Image: Jet-Etihad deal has cum under scanner of fair trade watchdog in Singapore.
Photographs: Reuters

In fresh troubles for Indian carrier Jet Airways' alliance with Abu Dhabi's Etihad, fair trade watchdog in Singapore has begun a scrutiny of the deal to probe any possible violation of its competition laws.  

The deal, which involves purchase of a 24 per cent stake

in Naresh Goyal-led Jet for about Rs 2,060 crore (Rs 20.60 billion) by Etihad and other tie-ups, has been going through turbulent times ever since it was announced more than a year ago in April 2013.

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Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

Image: Jet-Etihad deal may hamper other global carrier's business in India.
Photographs: Fabian Bimmer/Reuters

After months of scrutiny, the deal got consummated late last year after clearance by various Indian regulators including fair trade watchdog CCI (Competition Commission of India) and capital markets regulator Sebi. 

However, the deal has now come under the scanner of the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS), as the alliance "relates to the provision of international air passenger transport services (and associated support services), with a specific focus on the Singapore origin and destination city pairs".

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Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

Image: An engineer walks near an Etihad Airways aircraft at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Photographs: Reuters

The CCS said in a notification that it was seeking feedback from the public and other stakeholders till July 11, after which it would take its final call on the deal.    

The notification was issued "in relation to Section 34 of the Competition Act which prohibits agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within Singapore."

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Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

Image: An Etihad flight attendant helps a visitor sit in a mock cabin lounge seat.
Photographs: Reuters

The CCS further said the Jet-Etihad alliance "includes pricing, route and schedule coordination, marketing, code-sharing, networks, customer service and resourcing decisions between the parties.          

"The parties envisage that the Proposed Commercial Alliance will result in various efficiencies and synergies.

These include lower administrative costs, sharing of joint resources, better customer services and efficient administration of the Parties' respective businesses," it added.

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Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

Image: A newly acquired Jet Airways Boeing 777-300ER aircraft sits on the tarmac at Mumbai airport.
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is the national airlines of the United Arab Emirates and it operates to over 85 passenger and cargo destinations in over 50 countries.          

Jet is a leading airline in India, operating to over 50 domestic and 20 international destinations.

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Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

Image: An air hostess posing in a Jet Airways aircraft.
Photographs: Courtesy, Jet Airways

The two carriers are members of any of the three major international aviation alliances (Star Alliance, oneworld and Sky Team), CCS said.     

The CCS is a statutory board functioning under the purview of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore.

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Fresh troubles for Jet-Etihad deal; Singapore begins scrutiny

Image: Jet-Etihad JV have plans to enhance customer base overseas.
Photographs: Reuters

The Competition Act of Singapore empowers the CCS to investigate alleged anti-competitive activities, determine if such activities infringe the Act and impose suitable remedies,directions and financial penalties.

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