Qantas to launch low-cost Asian carrier

April 6, 2004 - AAP

Qantas Airways Ltd said today it would be the major investor in a new intra-Asia, low cost airline based in Singapore.

Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said the airline would fly to a range of Asian cities within five hours of Singapore and operate a fleet of single aisle aircraft.

These would either be Boeing 737-800s or Airbus A320s, Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said new the airline would begin flying before the end of 2004 with four aircraft and build to a fleet of more than 20 aircraft over the following three years.

He said Qantas would own 49.9 per cent of the new airline, with 21.1 per cent owned by Tony Chew and 10 per cent owned by FF Wong, both prominent Singaporean businessmen.

He added that Qantas did not currently fly on any of the new airline's preferred routes.

Temasek Holdings Ltd, a major investment company based in Singapore, will own the remaining 19 per cent.

A release from Qantas said the owners would invest a total of $S100 million in the new airline, with Qantas contributing $S50 million, with all aircraft to be financed through operating leases.

"This is a modest investment for Qantas but it is an excellent opportunity to participate in the growing intra-Asia travel market," Mr Dixon said.

"The region, which has a population of more than 3 billion people, is enjoying strong economic growth and features many potential destinations for point-to-point travel from Singapore."

Qantas said it has had considerable experience competing against low cost carriers in the Australian market over the past ten years while its Australian domestic offshoot, Jetstar, will begin flights on May 25.

Qantas said a team from within its ranks, headed by Con Korfiatis, had been working on this project for the past nine months.

"The team, plus people to be recruited throughout Asia in coming months, will open offices in Singapore and be responsible for bringing the airline on line," the airline said.

"Our aim with the new airline is to stimulate this market, as other low cost carriers have done in other parts of the world."

Qantas said the new airline did not aim or expect to be a threat to the major established airlines in the region.

Qantas to launch low-cost Asian carrier

April 6, 2004 - AAP

Qantas Airways Ltd said today it would be the major investor in a new intra-Asia, low cost airline based in Singapore.

Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said the airline would fly to a range of Asian cities within five hours of Singapore and operate a fleet of single aisle aircraft.

These would either be Boeing 737-800s or Airbus A320s, Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said new the airline would begin flying before the end of 2004 with four aircraft and build to a fleet of more than 20 aircraft over the following three years.

He said Qantas would own 49.9 per cent of the new airline, with 21.1 per cent owned by Tony Chew and 10 per cent owned by FF Wong, both prominent Singaporean businessmen.

He added that Qantas did not currently fly on any of the new airline's preferred routes.

Temasek Holdings Ltd, a major investment company based in Singapore, will own the remaining 19 per cent.

A release from Qantas said the owners would invest a total of $S100 million in the new airline, with Qantas contributing $S50 million, with all aircraft to be financed through operating leases.

"This is a modest investment for Qantas but it is an excellent opportunity to participate in the growing intra-Asia travel market," Mr Dixon said.

"The region, which has a population of more than 3 billion people, is enjoying strong economic growth and features many potential destinations for point-to-point travel from Singapore."

Qantas said it has had considerable experience competing against low cost carriers in the Australian market over the past ten years while its Australian domestic offshoot, Jetstar, will begin flights on May 25.

Qantas said a team from within its ranks, headed by Con Korfiatis, had been working on this project for the past nine months.

"The team, plus people to be recruited throughout Asia in coming months, will open offices in Singapore and be responsible for bringing the airline on line," the airline said.

"Our aim with the new airline is to stimulate this market, as other low cost carriers have done in other parts of the world."

Qantas said the new airline did not aim or expect to be a threat to the major established airlines in the region.

As their new PR man Tiz I am certain you will be a passenger on the inaugural flights. Do you get to take your playmates from Thaivisa ?

I wonder if qaintarse will use this airline like it's using their new low cost jetstar airlines. There have been complaints already about passenger offloading from qaintarse to jetstar on certain routes.

I wouldnt be surprised if mr dixon doesnt have this at the back of his mind, even though he says it wont be travelling already serviced routes, he has had memory failure before.

Dr, I think that I'd rather walk/swim than fly Qantas.

Is it just a coincidence that the following is today's Dilbert??

qaintarse have also now introduced a new policy of charging for actual tickets.

if you dont use the "E" ticket option, there will be a minimum $55.00 charge.

the new airline in this thread is likely to be called jetstar asia