JetSetGo co-founder Kanika Tekriwal becomes first Indian woman from the aviation industry to walk the Cannes red carpet

Kanika Tekriwal, CEO and co-founder of private aviation company JetSetGo, has become the first Indian woman from the aviation sector to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Her appearance marked a significant moment for Indian entrepreneurs making inroads into global cultural platforms historically dominated by entertainment and fashion.

The red carpet has been laid out along the Promenade de la Croisette, a prominent seaside boulevard in Cannes, France, for the 78th Cannes Film Festival. Over 12 days from May 13 through May 24, actors, directors, producers, and influencers will attend the event to promote their films and make public appearances.

Tekriwal was also part of a panel titled “Voices of Influence: Craft, Creativity & Cultural Presence,” which featured Indian women from various sectors including cinema, fashion, digital media, and aviation. The discussion focused on how these industries are contributing to India’s evolving global image. Representing aviation, Tekriwal highlighted the role of innovation and leadership in shaping the country’s international presence.

Tekriwal founded JetSetGo in 2014 with Sudheer Perla, aiming to make private air travel more accessible and transparent in India. The company operates a fleet that includes mid-size Hawker jets, large cabin aircraft, and helicopters. Based in New Delhi, JetSetGo focuses on charter services and private jet management, positioning itself in a market traditionally dominated by larger and often foreign players.

The path to building JetSetGo was not straightforward. Diagnosed with cancer at 21, Tekriwal began the company after her recovery, entering an industry that had limited participation from women and was riddled with operational and regulatory challenges.

Beyond personal milestones, Tekriwal’s participation at Cannes drew attention to broader conversations around sustainability in aviation. JetSetGo has begun exploring electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, signalling an interest in greener alternatives for short-distance travel in the future.

JetSetGo remains a relatively niche but notable player in India’s private aviation landscape.