Jetstar's march continues
Qantas Group Airline ‘Jetstar’ to further grow in
western Japan by offering direct services to Cairns
The Qantas Group’s value based airline, Jetstar, will further grow direct international services from western Japan to Australia, announcing plans to operate from both Nagoya and Osaka to Cairns, the gateway to tropical Australia.
The decision will consolidate Jetstar as the sole Qantas Group airline serving both Osaka and Nagoya.
From 2 August 2007*, Jetstar will operate six weekly return services direct between Nagoya and Cairns including twice weekly Sydney-Cairns-Nagoya, launching the airline for the first time in Nagoya.
Commencing 8 September 2007*, Jetstar will also serve Cairns directly from Osaka four times weekly.
Jetstar will operate an initial fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft (303 seat configured), offering two classes of service including StarClass, Jetstar’s business class.
The value based carrier’s inaugural Japanese services will commence from 25 March 2007* with a daily direct service from Osaka to Brisbane and Sydney, a new Qantas Group international route, which was announced earlier this year. All flights are subject to regulatory approval.
Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said Jetstar’s market entry in Japan and fresh commitment to growth in its international operations from western Japan to Australia would represent a 30 per cent increase in operated capacity for the Qantas Group by September next year.
Mr Joyce said this included a 13 per cent increase in capacity on the Cairns – Nagoya route.
“The transition to a Jetstar operation on Cairns-Osaka and Cairns-Nagoya routes will improve their sustainability for the Qantas Group and provide the best platform for future growth from the Japanese market,” Mr Joyce said.
To celebrate Jetstar’s new international services from Japan, Jetstar is on sale from AU $299 all inclusive one way from Cairns to Nagoya and Osaka and from AU $399 all inclusive one way between Sydney and Brisbane to Osaka. Sale fares in Australia are available at Jetstar.com and Jetstar Telephone Reservations on 131 538. Conditions apply.*
Jetstar is on sale in Japan with special return fares from 20,000 yen plus surcharges, fees and taxes from Nagoya and Osaka to Cairns and from 40,000 yen plus surcharges, fees and taxes between Osaka to Brisbane and Sydney. Fares are available in Japan from participating Travel Agents and Jetstar Holidays Telephone Reservations on 0034 800 400 839. Conditions apply.*
The sale for all routes closes midnight 17 November 2006 AEST.
Jetstar’s Group General Manager - Commercial, Bruce Buchanan, was joined by Jetstar Regional General Manager – Japan, Masaru Kataoka, in Nagoya to make the announcement.
Mr Buchanan said Jetstar would operate its long haul international services for the first time into Cairns and will be a significant part of the value based airline’s future planned 17 weekly services from either the Kansai or Chubu regions next year.
“Jetstar’s expanding international operations out of western Japan forms part of the Qantas Group’s continued focus on two airline brands for future growth and sustainable operations,” Mr Buchanan said.
“Other features of the new international services will include a Qantas codeshare arrangement on all flights, connectivity of Jetstar passengers and their luggage between Jetstar international services and Qantas international and Qantas domestic services in Australia as well as seamless through check-in.”
Jetstar will support its expanding international operations from both the Kansai and Chubu regions with its Osaka based office headed by Mr. Masaru Kataoka, and intends to work closely with the Japanese travel industry including wholesalers and travel agents.
“Jetstar would like to thank Kansai International Airport, Central Japan International Airport, and the Osaka and Aichi Prefectural Governments who have allowed us to build our services to and from western Japan,” Mr Buchanan said.
“Jetstar is also grateful for the support shown in Australia by the Queensland Government and Cairns Port Authority to operate these international services into Queensland.
“Jetstar will also work closely with Tourism Australia and Qantas to support these routes.”
Packages sold by Japanese wholesalers and travel agents for economy travel on Jetstar will receive meals and drinks and headphones to watch inflight movies plus an amenity kit with blanket and pillow. Economy passengers may rent portable video on demand units and buy additional drinks and snacks.
All flights subject to regulatory approval.