Jetstar named ‘Low Cost Airline of the Year’
Jetstar named ‘Low Cost Airline of the Year’
The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has announced Jetstar Airways as ‘Low Cost Airline of the Year’ in the Asia Pacific region at the CAPA Aviation Awards for Excellence held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The award was presented to Jetstar executives at a Gala Dinner as part of CAPA’s 2nd Annual Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit 2006.
The 2005 selection committee, including airline industry experts, awarded Jetstar in light of the low fare carrier’s achievements over the past operational year following its successful launch into Australian skies in
May 2004. Highlights have included:
• Profitability in its first financial year of flying (EBIT result of $44.1 million AUD for 2005FY);
• Establishing an innovative, low cost operating model (Jetstar recorded a cost per Available Seat
Kilometres (ASK) of 7.62 cents during the second half of the 2005FY, despite an existing mixed
fleet;
• Carrying over six million passengers to date – with 50 per cent travelling for less than AU$100 one
way;
• Successfully created Australia’s first secondary airport - Melbourne Avalon Airport;
• Expansion of Australian domestic network to 18 destinations, including flying a number of new air routes, and an initial launch of international services from 1 December 2005 with the introduction of
trans Tasman flights from Christchurch;
• First low cost carrier to launch a freesale codeshare arrangement to make it easier for international customers to book domestic flights when travelling to and around Australia;
• On time introduction of a new fleet of Airbus A320s from July 2004;
• Fresh enhancements to Jetstar’s in-flight product offering including video-on-demand, offer of Qantas Frequent Flyer points and Status Credits for Jetstar’s JetFlex passengers and introduction of JetSMS mobile SMS booking service.
Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce thanked both its staff and customers for their contribution and support of the airline – a major contributing factor towards achieving the award.
“Jetstar’s successful launch of our first international services has built on an existing platform that will allow for further growth of the Jetstar brand, including the operation of more domestic and international services over time,” Mr Joyce said.
“Jetstar is a proud to receive this acknowledgement from CAPA. The competitiveness of value air operators across the Asia Pacific and the Middle East is and remains high.”
CAPA Executive Chairman Peter Harbison said Jetstar had made an impact in a highly competitive Australian domestic market.
“The carrier has introduced an innovative, extremely low cost operating model, which has helped its parent and Group to maintain and expand its share of less profitable leisure routes, as well as providing an expansion vehicle for international markets – most lately, New Zealand,” Mr Harbison said.
I bet passenger views weren't taken into account here. The people I knew that gave Jetstar a go swore that they'd never fly with them ever again unless they were forced to (ie the only airline servicing the route).