Meet 'The Sky Queen', Kanika Tekriwal who owns 10 private jets

Before earning any title, it takes a tremendous amount of effort and hard work. However, Kanika Tekriwal faced numerous personal challenges, including battling cancer. It is her resilience and willpower that have earned Kanika Tekriwal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the aviation startup called JetSetGo, the moniker 'The Sky Queen' today.

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JetSetGo is a plane aggregator company that manages, operates, and flies chartered planes and helicopters. While the brand aims to revolutionize the aviation sector by creating a path that blends luxury, efficiency, and safety, Kanika Tekriwal has been ensuring that the startup reaches new heights, gaining recognition in the field.

Born into a Marwari family, Tekriwal aspired to be a pilot, but her dreams were shattered due to the conservative nature of her family. After completing her education at the Lawrence School, she traveled to the UK to pursue higher studies at Coventry University.

Upon returning to India, Tekriwal landed a job at her dream aviation company. However, life took a turn when she was diagnosed with cancer. Despite the setback, Tekriwal managed to recover and decided to relocate to Delhi.

Starting with limited funds but boundless aspirations, Tekriwal founded JetSetGo in 2012 at the age of 22, leaving everything behind. The rest, as they say, is history. Reports indicate that Tekriwal transformed the company from a marketplace to an aircraft management firm during this time. JetSetGo managed the largest fleet in the country despite not owning many aircraft.

Currently, the startup is also pioneering air taxis with intra-city connectivity in India using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Utilizing a mix of technology, unique maintenance procedures, and SMART management, the company reduces maintenance costs, increases airtime, decreases ground time, and ensures profitability. This approach substantially reduces the cost of chartered aircraft, making them more readily and frequently accessible to flyers.

Tekriwal, now 33 years old, has ensured transparent pricing and reliable services for the brand, leading to the company's profitability. JetSetGo has facilitated 6,000 flights for around 100,000 passengers. Thanks to her efforts, Tekriwal has earned a spot on the list of self-made women, with a net worth of Rs 420 crore.

In addition, Kanika owns 10 private jets and has won various awards over the years for her business acumen. She was honored with the National Entrepreneurship Award by the Government of India and the Young Global Leaders Award by the World Economic Forum. She has also been awarded 'The Sky Queen' by Entrepreneur.

With inputs from Network 18, Business Today, Vogue and Indiatimes.