Singapore - Pattaya: Jetstar Asia

[think_too_mut]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Jetsta...1923271373.html

Full article:

Jetstar Asia's first passengers are likely to score themselves a bargain, with the Singapore-based Qantas joint venture giving itself only one week to sell tickets for its inaugural flights.

After taking delivery of its second and third Airbus 320s yesterday, the airline confirmed its first tickets would go on sale next week for three yet-to-be-disclosed destinations it plans to be servicing from mid-December.

"Ideally, we would have liked a longer selling period," Jetstar Asia's chief operating officer, Con Korfiatis, said.

But given the airline was only able to formally apply for traffic rights to various air routes after receiving its air operator's certificate on November 19, Mr Korfiatis said Jetstar Asia had no other choice.

If it had waited until February to launch, Jetstar Asia would have missed out on the busy Christmas holiday period, which he said was the perfect springboard for Jetstar to establish itself as an Asia-Pacific brand name.

After setting out plans last week to fly to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Pattaya, Jakarta, Surabaya and Manila by late February, Mr Korfiatis said: "We're very confident that we've got very good flying for all the aircraft."

The managing director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Peter Harbison, said it was likely Jetstar Asia would have to offer tickets at very low prices.

"You can probably anticipate they will be coming on with a big splash," he said. In comparison, Jetstar Australia sold its first tickets 10 weeks before launching in May.

Mr Korfiatis said the next vital step in Jetstar's planned three-year growth phase to a fleet of 20 aircraft would not only be to tap into the burgeoning demand for air traffic in Asia but to see further liberalisation of the Asian aviation market.

Amid recent murmurings that India could free up more of its highly regulated aviation market, the further loosening of airline rights and visa restrictions between Asian countries was one of the key topics of conversation at last week's ASEAN forum in Laos.

It is unclear whether Jetstar Asia's entry will trigger an airfare war like that its Australian cousin triggered with Virgin Blue in late February, when it dumped 100,000 $29 one-way tickets on the market.

Only two of seven destinations already nominated by Jetstar Asia - Jakarta and Hong Kong - are serviced by the other two budget airlines based in Singapore - Valuair and Tiger Airways, partly owned by Singapore Air. AirAsia operates flights into Singapore from Phuket and Bangkok.

After launching flights to Perth this week, Valuair said it would not respond by cutting fares if Jetstar entered its routes anyway.

"It would be pointless for most carriers to have a full-on price war because the carriers would run themselves into the ground," Valuair spokesman Nilesh Pritam said.

Also:

http://www.jetstarasia.com/press_25nov2004.htm

Article:

Jetstar Asia announced today a significant launch-period route structure that will include flying to destinations across six countries over the course of the next few months. Servicing a combination of business, leisure and new markets, Jetstar Asia will fly to Shanghai , Hong Kong, Taipei , Pattaya, Jakarta , Surabaya and Manila .

Flights to three of the seven destinations will commence in December, with the remaining destinations coming on line in rapid succession from January onwards. Several other routes, serviced by future Airbus A320 aircraft arrivals, will be announced in early 2005.

“This is just the beginning,” said COO Con Korfiatis, “but it's also indicative of the types of destinations we'll be flying to; some expected, some not so expected. We've always said that the success of our business will be predicated upon our ability to grow the market. And by Jetstar Asia being the first regional low cost carrier to enter and service markets like Shanghai, Taipei, Manila, Surabaya and Pattaya, that's precisely what we're setting out to do; grow the market by making air travel more accessible to more customers,” emphasised Mr. Korfiatis.

“Of further significance is our entry into new markets like Pattaya, Thailand, where we will be the first international carrier to service this major tourist destination, greatly opening up access to and from the resort city,” added Mr. Korfiatis.

Jetstar Asia, which received its Air Operator's Certificate last week, will announce its start dates and fares during a sales launch within the next two weeks. In the meantime, people can visit www.jetstarasia.com to register their details to be the first to find out about the low fares, exciting destinations and special offers.

“The fares we'll be announcing for the first flights in December will show everyone that we're very committed to providing real value to our customers,” added Mr. Korfiatis.

All Jetstar Asia aircraft are brand-new Airbus A320s that come equipped with charcoal-grey leather seating for maximum comfort. All customers will be provided with assigned seating and a 20kg baggage allowance. A broad range of snack and beverage items will be available for purchase on all flights.

[ProfessorFart]

Lets hope it lasts. For some reason U Taphao services never seem to last for long. When the new aiport opens it will be evn more redundant.

[350torana]

Surprised to see they have assigned seating. How about a time limit on check-in and boarding times? Flown Jet Star domestic in Aussie a few times. Have had no problems. In fact, rocked up at their service desk after flight Tg981..or is it 982 to Tullarmine? to get a flight back to Hobart and had very reasonable prices. I ask this as their has been a few complaints hyped up in the media about Jetstar with passengers denied boarding because they are late. Not sure if the same policy applies international ?

[et33.com]

good for the flyers

however

within five years or less

you will see some of them closing down...

[think_too_mut]

good for the flyers

however

within five years or less

you will see some of them closing down...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why would that be?

Thailand closing the country for tourists? Their plans are to double the intake.

Airlines: if Qantas did not think there was money to earn, they would not have attempted what they did. A very conservative company.

IMO, a well thought strategy.

[udon]

Have just tried to register with jetstarasia.com and failed.

Anyone else having probs getting registered?

All we (in Oz) need now, are cheap flts to SIN.

[udon]

www.jetstarasia.com is now working.

SIN-PTY 2254 + (taxes?)

PTY-SIN 1416 " "

Tickets are good for up to a year.

Any cheapies from SYD to SIN???