Flying High: The Inspiring Journey of JetSetGo’s Founder

1. How did your battle with cancer shape your determination and resilience in establishing JetSetGo, India’s premier private jet and helicopter charter marketplace?

Cancer was like a tough fight life threw at me, and I had no choice but to tackle it. When you talk about determination and resilience, for me, it was more about not having any other option. When you’re pushed to deal with the real, tough stuff, you dig deep within yourself, and that’s where you find your strength. That’s what happened to me. Once I battled and beat cancer, that determination and resilience became a solid part of who I am. It’s what keeps me going today, steering me to do what I do with JetSetGo. It’s a reminder that not every challenge turns into an instant win, but the commitment to keep pushing forward is what fuels every success.

2. What inspired you to venture into the aviation sector, traditionally dominated by men, and create a platform like JetSetGo to revolutionize private flying in India?

I’ve always been drawn to aviation, even though being part of a traditional Marwari family put some limits on my dreams for a while. But not for too long. Early on, I had this feeling that I’d run my own business someday. The idea for JetSetGo took off during a chat with a colleague in the UK. I shared my vision of starting a successful aviation company that would come straight out of India.
What fuelled both me and JetSetGo was the desire to give Indian flyers a fair choice in a market mostly controlled by brokers. In an industry often clouded by uncertainties and hidden fees, JetSetGo aimed to bring transparency and fairness to the forefront. We believe in giving our customers the information they need to make confident decisions. Our commitment to transparency is not just about changing the way people fly; it’s about making sure they have a stress-free and straightforward experience, without any surprises along the way or unexpected bills afterwards.
So, from the very beginning, JetSetGo has been about providing a different, more open option in the world of private aviation, making it easier for everyone to take to the skies with clarity and confidence.

3. Can you elaborate on the challenges you faced in breaking into the aviation industry and how you overcame them to build JetSetGo into the successful enterprise it is today?

As I mentioned earlier, my goal was to establish JetSetGo as an organized and transparent market.
This was primarily because the private aviation industry was quite disorganized, and many customers voiced complaints about the unpleasant experience of booking a private jet in India, often struggling with the opaqueness of a broker-led market.
This situation presented both opportunities and challenges for us. On the positive side, there was a clear opportunity to address these issues. However, on the flip side, the idea was relatively new, and I needed resources, especially a skilled team, to grasp and collaborate on the blueprint to turn it into reality.
Private aircraft didn’t operate efficiently due to the lack of a structured system, leading to significant inadequacies in the private jet space. This fuelled my determination to bring about a change and pursue this business idea.
Our success in implementing this business idea was rooted in the consistency and quality of our service. Gradually, we built a loyal customer base, word spread in the market, and within three years, we successfully eliminated the long-standing asymmetrical access to information through digital and logistical innovations, creating a level playing field. While facing initial competition, we emerged as the single largest market shareholder in India’s private aviation industry, boasting a remarkable 98% client satisfaction rate. Our clients no longer feel misled, a testament to the unmatched quality and consistency of our services.

4. As the CEO of JetSetGo, how do you envision the future of private aviation in India, and what role do you see your company playing in shaping that future?
I believe private aviation is the answer to bridge the gap between people who want smooth, direct flights and the limited options offered by commercial airlines. Especially in business aviation, there’s been a big change. Private jets are the key that will build a strong network for India’s business class, helping them grow and boost economic development across the country.
As to shaping the future, I’m proud to say that JetSetGo, one of India’s top private fleet operators, has already formed important partnerships with three global aviation technology leaders Electra.aero, Horizon Aircraft, and Overair – to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions to India.
Bringing these new technologies to India and working with a wide range of stakeholders will enable us to lead on the development of a new ecosystem in aviation – a revolution in air mobility if you like.
I think JetSetGo’s AAM solutions have huge potential for better mobility and connections in both urban air mobility in our congested cities and regional connectivity across India. Such solutions will emerge as an important answer to the problem of traffic congestion on our roads, a major impediment to economic growth.

5. What strategies have you employed to navigate the complexities of India’s aviation market and establish JetSetGo as a leader in aircraft chartering services?
Our strategy was quite simple – create a business centered around the needs of our customers and change the way things work in private aviation. Since we wanted to redefine the experience for private charter customers, our plans revolved around that idea. To make everything clear and open, we embraced technology to build a system. The system matches available aircraft to customer demand, and then ensures a perosnalised customer flight experience. Our hardworking team brings a personal touch, ensuring each customers needs are fully understood, and are available 24/7 to fix any issues before they become problems.
In addition, we have pioneered new solutions to aircraft ownership through our aircraft management contracts. We work in partnership with clients who need access to an aircraft on-demand and have significant numbers of annual flight hours. This has enabled us to grow our fleet solution, and bring unprecedented levels of product and service consistency through a core fleet of midsize aircraft, supported by a range of other aircraft types for flight needs that require either a smaller light jet or a larger heavy jet. Both core fleet and mixed fleet approaches provide the flexibility private jet customers need to balance mission-success with affordability. It’s a win-win for our clients.
I believe our proactive approach, anticipating such customer needs and leading on innovation, is what has enabled us to become leaders in the private aviation market in India.

6. Could you share some insights into JetSetGo’s growth trajectory, from its humble beginnings to becoming the largest fleet operator in India, and the factors that have contributed to this success?
For me, the key factor was the trust our clients placed in us right from the early days of running flights. Fortunately, I had a network of people who believed in me and JetSetGo, flying with us regularly to help establish the brand. Once we hit the point where the business was making enough money to cover costs, we experienced a significant jump. The business started meeting our financial goals much faster than we expected.
Our growth has been fuelled by the strong reputation of our brand for consistently good service, a determination to embrace technology to improve our performance, and retaining that instinct for ionnovation that fuelled our early ambitions. We simply haven’t stood still. We continuously look forward with a focus on continuous improvement in our core private jet business, and an ambition to embrace and lead the next wave of innovation in aviation.
From those early days as a start-up to now, where we’re set to acquire electric and hybrid powered aircrafts as part of an agreement with Advanced Air Mobility aircraft manufacturers, we’ve come a long way. The future for aviation is in sustainable growth – meeting the increasing demand of a high growth economy whilst innovating so that we can also do that sustainably by embracing new technologies.

7. With JetSetGo being likened to the “Uber of the Indian skies,” how do you ensure transparency, affordability, and efficiency in private flying for your diverse range of clients?
I have to give credit to our amazing team for keeping things transparent and efficient in our private aviation company. Technology plays a big role, helping us trim unnecessary costs and ensuring that JetSetGo’s flights are not just convenient but also cost-effective.
Transparency starts with fully understanding individual customer needs. We then match the right solution to that particular need, or present a range of options so that we also respect customer choice and budgets. Affordability and efficiency go together and our team’s expertise is in meeting both requirements through transparent practices that ultimately present the best solution and offering customers a choice.
Our extensive fleet and diverse range of aircraft are designed with those customer needs and choices in mind. We want to make sure every flyer leaves satisfied and has every reason to choose JetSetGo for all their future flights. That’s why we’re continually working on expanding our fleet, enhancing the in-flight experience, and maintaining the consistency of our service. Our core fleet comprises the same type of aircraft, and with our distinct brand experience and our dedicated in-house training team, we can meet the unique needs of our diverse clientele.

8. In what ways does JetSetGo cater to the unique needs of its clientele, including business executives, politicians, and tourists, and what sets your services apart in the competitive aviation market?

JetSetGo, as a private aviation business in India, took the lead in introducing a user-friendly app – a pioneering move that ensures our clients can access flight prices and availability with just a simple tap.
We’ve curated special packages to suit different needs, segmenting the market on the basis of customer needs for tailored private aviation solutions. For our corporate clients, that means options for either aircraft ownership or contracts, for frequent flyers it’s our Membership program, and for less frequent flyers it’s access to our fleet, or the wider market, on a charter ‘pay-as-yoy-go’ basis. In addition for both business clients and lifestyle travellers we offer exclusive access to helicopters alongside our jets, while our private jet-based travel packages cater to those on pilgrimage in India.
Additionally, we provide emergency rescue services and unique destination wedding packages. These offerings empower our clients to craft a trip that aligns precisely with their requirements, business or lifestyle, and they can further personalize the inflight service by working closely with a dedicated client services manager.
After years of serving numerous clients, we’ve not just provided services but have built a comprehensive brand experience. Our client services team identifies areas for improvement and takes swift action to mitigate potential challenges, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the diverse needs and wants of our clients and stay ahead in this competitive market.

9. As a trailblazer in the aviation industry, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to disrupt traditional sectors and carve out their niche, particularly in male-dominated industries?
Believe in yourself and your visions. Your confidence will be the driving force behind your journey.
Trusting in your abilities will empower you to tackle challenges head-on and keep pushing forward.
Remember, it’s your unique perspective and unwavering determination that will carve out a distinctive space for you in any industry.
Always stay connected to technology and opportunities to innovate; that instinct will serve you well as an entrepreneur. Keeping up with the latest advancements equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to make smart business decisions and fuel growth in your business.

10. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for JetSetGo, and how do you plan to continue innovating and expanding your services to meet the evolving demands of the market?

Looking ahead, our aspirations for JetSetGo are ambitious yet rooted in the vision of transforming air mobility in India. We are keen on collaborating closely with the Government of India to align with their plans for enhancing regional connections. Our focus extends beyond conventional aviation, as we aspire to introduce cutting-edge Air Mobility solutions, specifically Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the prospect for sustainable air travel that they bring.
However, embarking on this innovative journey comes with its set of challenges. We recognize the importance of establishing the right infrastructure to support these advancements, efficient airspace management, infrastructure improvements, and navigating regulatory frameworks. Our commitment to overcoming these hurdles is unwavering, driven by the belief that such advancements will revolutionize access to air mobility and on-demand point-to-point travel across the country.
Simultaneously, our strategic goal involves expanding our fleet substantially. By doing so, we aim to ensure that JetSetGo is not only at the forefront of technological innovation but also equipped to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers. This expansion aligns with our broader mission to provide seamless, efficient, and personalized air travel experiences.