Mumbai, Aug. 16: The Northeast is definitely on the radar of leading private carrier Jet Airways' growth plan in 2015-2016.

"We are looking forward to add more flights to the Northeast. In fact, the Northeast has always been a key area and we will continue to focus on improving connectivity in the region," Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal said during a news conference here on Friday evening.

The airline considers tier-2 and tier-3 cities as key areas of operation.

"We have introduced 23 new flights to and from the national capital to other key metros, tier-2 and tier-3 cities, including Imphal. Besides, we are also mulling options of better connectivity between Calcutta and Bangkok," Goyal added after Jet Airways' 23rd annual general meeting, followed by announcement of its quarter one (financial year 2015-16) results, ended.

Sources said a special package would be developed for the northeastern region to improve air connectivity with remote locations, which have been stated in the draft civil aviation policy. The route dispersal guidelines would be reviewed to encourage Indian carriers to enhance regional connectivity through deployment of small aircraft and code-sharing arrangements.

The Centre had issued route dispersal guidelines in 1994, which mandated 10 per cent of capacity deployed on certain routes to be identified in remote areas.

An air-connectivity fund might be established as a long-term measure to provide necessary financial support to promote air connectivity to remote and strategic areas, sources added.

Jet Airways posted its highest standalone quarterly net profit in about nine years, helped primarily by a fall in fuel prices. The airline posted a net profit of Rs 221.7 crore for the April-June quarter in a remarkable turnaround from a net loss of Rs 217.65 crore during the first quarter of 2014-15.

The Indian carrier is banking on gaining momentum in its flight path across the country and the world in three years through its tie-up with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which has invested 24 per cent in Jet.

Since the strategic partnership, finalised in November 2013, the two airlines have increased the number of direct routes between India and Abu Dhabi from nine to 15, introduced wide-bodied aircraft on key routes and increased multiple daily flights in some markets.

Etihad Airways president and chief executive James Hogan said the first year of partnership had delivered significant benefits for Jet Airways, for consumers and for the Indian economy. "We (Jet and Etihad) are now the market leaders out of India," Hogan said.

Codeshare traffic of Jet Airways has surged by 51 per cent with 487,921 passengers carried in quarter one of 2015-16 spurred by the tie-up.

"We are a network carrier and the three-year turnaround strategy involves reducing losses in the first year, consolidating in the second and breaking even and making profits in the third year," chief executive officer of Jet Airways Cramer Ball told reporters here.