Jetting Around The World

He is one of the high-fliers of India's aviation industry. Peter Luethi, COO, Jet Airways talks travel with Mahesh Tharani

Saint Augustine, the ancient Roman Christian theologian and bishop of Hippo once said, "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Peter Luethi, chief operating officer, Jet Airways echoes the same sentiment when he says, "It is very important to travel, to see things and understand various cultures. The world is getting smaller. It is important to learn about people to learn to tolerate various thoughts and ideas." And the chief example he cites to back this advise is his own. Having been stationed in various destinations all over the world including the Americas, Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Africa, Luethi has many a tale to tell about the world and its many people. "I was in Iran during the revolution when the Shah of Iran was replaced by Ayatollah Khomeini. The times were changing quickly then and it was quite an experience to see the change of guard. A few years later I found myself back in Switzerland when Ghana went through a revolution and J J Rawlings installed himself as the president of the country. His wife's sister worked for Swissair in Geneva and we went through this period of having the president's wife coming over to the office regularly. Among the countries I have visited include Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (Santiago) and Brazil, as part of beginning flights to the destinations."

Even in India, Luethi, in the two years he's been here has travelled to most of the destinations that Jet has a flight to. "I liked Kerala and Srinagar a lot, Srinagar more since I am more of a mountain person, I can't stay close to the sea shore for too long," he says.

But more than the destinations, it is the magnanimity of its people that he is most touched by. He does have a special mention for Bihar. "Patna was a very different experience. I had heard a lot about the place from people in India and had a set perception before I actually visited the place. This was probably the only Indian city which I haven't seen from the eyes of a tourist," says Luethi. He doesn't pass any judgements but replies diplomatically, "the place is 'different' to do business in."

But he admits that there is much of India left to see. "India is a very vibrant country with so much of diversity. I do travel but always on business where I take time off to imbibe the culture and see how things work in this country. But I haven't seen a lot of the country. I don't think it is possible to see India in a month or two. To really understand the country a person would need to stay here for a long time "
While work is all consuming, Luethi manages to take time off to indulge in hobbies. "I do not have a penchant for adventure activities. You can't get me to bungee jump or sky dive, I prefer my feet on the ground - skiing and cross country running is my kind of adventure activity. I also used to play soccer during my days in school. I am a natural hiker since I was born and brought up in Switzerland. I started skiing when I was very young. In Switzerland skiing is no big deal, it is like buying your first pair of shoes," says Leuthi laughing.

However, Auli which is the capital of skiing in India is yet uncharted territory for him. "I haven't had the time to ski in India. I have visited the state of Jammu and Kashmir but haven't skied there," says Luethi.

He doesn't get too much time to vacation but when he does Luethi alternates between United States of America where his sons live and Switzerland where he has relatives . "I have realised that in India there is a lot of fraternal affiliations and bonds which are important," he says.

Luethi describes himself as a city slicker, a person who enjoys the fast life of cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong or Mumbai. Through the week he usually is busy with work, while Sunday is dedicated to paperwork at home. "I would like to catch up on some golf here however you know what they say about low handicaps? He asks and replies in the same breath, "If you have a low handicap it means that you aren't working hard enough at the office."