Thursday, January 19 2006 15:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Jet Airways today (Jan 19, 2006) said it has no plans to bring Air Sahara as a no frill arm of Jet Airways and retain the Air Sahara brand name.

"I have no plans to make Air Sahara as the low-cost arm of Jet Airways. I acquired Air Sahara for strengthening our business," Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal told reporters here today.

He was responding to media reports that Jet Airways might make Air Sahara as its no frills arm to retain the brand name.

"I will use the resources, including the aircraft and manpower for Jet Airways' operations. For example, I have a shortage of pilots and the acquisition will help me," he said.

However, Goyal said he would not retain all employees of Air Sahara. "I will not retain all employees. I will take some of them and that will be based on a selection procedures", Goyal said.

About the sponsorship of the Indian cricket team, Goyal said, it will be with the Sahara group.

"I took over only the airline business. Cricket team sponsorship is with the Sahara group itself," he said.