Jetstar Asia aims for mainland China
SINGAPORE, Aug 25, 2009 (AFP) - Singapore-based budget carrier Jetstar Asia on Tuesday announced it would expand capacity and planned to begin flights to mainland China in December.
"Mainland China has immense potential for Jetstar's low fares offering and the broader Jetstar group network destinations," said company chief executive Chong Phit Lian.
"China is a clear focus of future growth and with our expanding fleet in 2010, we are in the stage of actively assessing future potential growth," she said.
As well as aiming to expand into China, Jetstar will from October increase flights to Manila from seven to 10 per week, adding it will also run three daily trips instead of the current two to Bangkok from next month.
And from December the firm will resume its flights to Phuket, a route it terminated in March last year partly due to escalating oil prices.
Jetstar Asia said it would take delivery of three Airbus A320 jets over the next 12 months, which will boost its fleet capacity by 46 percent.
The firm is 49 percent-owned by Australian flag carrier Qantas and flies to some of Asia's most popular destinations including Macau, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City from its regional base in Singapore.
Source : AFP