NARESH GOYAL - The Dream That Took Flight

All through his career, he would hear the engines roar to life and feel the power of flight coursing through his veins. He knew that this was what he wanted to do in his life. To start his own airlines; one that would take people to all corners of the globe. Naresh Goyal not only founded the biggest airlines in India, but he also founded the best. Jet Airways founded by Naresh Goyal on May 5, 1993 has been a flying pleasure to millions of Indians. It helped them connect with different cultures and traditions of this vast country.

Naresh was born on July 29, 1949 in Sangrur -Punjab. His father was a jewellery dealer and he lost him when he was a child. At age 11, Naresh saw his house being auctioned due to economic crisis.

He always wanted to become a Chartered Accountant. But financial constraints forced him to do Bachelors in Commerce. After his graduation in 1967, he joined the travel business with Lebanese International Airlines. His monthly salary as a cashier then was 300. He soon became a public relation manager of Iraqi Airways in 1969 and later worked as the regional manager for ALIA (Royal Jordanian Airlines) between 1971 to 1974. He also worked with the Indian office of Middle Eastern Airline (MEA). Having gained a vast exposure to ticketing, reservations and sales; Naresh was determined to succeed.

With the £500 that he borrowed from his mother, Naresh ended up starting his own travel agency in 1974. He named it Jetair. His agency would handle sales and marketing of airlines like Air France, Austrian Airlines, and Cathy Pacific. Later, he took over as the regional manager of Philippine Airlines in India in 1975.

Naresh took advantage of P. V. Narsimha Rao’s liberalisation policy to set up his Jet Airways. He set up Jet Airways for the domestic flying. Jet Airways IPO saw him become the 16th richest man in India. He started from nothing, but he worked hard; never gave up on his dreams, and finally left a mark on the skies of India.

During 2004 to 2006, he served on the board of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In 2007, he acquired “Air Sahara” and re-launched it as “Jetlite“. He was awarded Commander of the Order of Leopold II by the Belgian government, one of the country's highest civilian distinctions.

Naresh Goyal is a true inspiration, and his story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Ravindra Zinjurke