Jetstar Asia Airways

Infobox Airline
airline = Jetstar Asia Airways

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logo_size = 140
fleet_size = 5
destinations = 10
IATA = 3K
ICAO = JSA
callsign = JETSTAR ASIA
parent = Orange Star
company_slogan =
founded = 2004
headquarters = Singapore
key_people = Chong Phit Lian (CEO)
hubs = Singapore Changi Airport
secondary_hubs =
focus_cities =
frequent_flyer =
lounge =
alliance =
subsidiaries =
website = http://www.jetstar.com

Jetstar Asia Airways Private Limited (Chinese: 捷星亚洲航空公司; Thai: เจ็ทสตาร์เอเชีย), operating as Jetstar Asia, is a low-cost airline based in Singapore. It is the Asian offshoot of Qantas' Jetstar Airways. It operates services to regional destinations. Its main base is Singapore Changi Airport.cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | page= 98 | date= 2007-04-03]

The airline anticipates profitability in 2009, although there were indications that this may happen earlier due to better performance in 2007. [ cite web |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/269667/1/.html |title= Jetstar set to fly into the black |accessdate= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-04-11 |year=2007 |month=April |format= |work= Channel Newsasia |publisher=MediaCorp News Pte Ltd.] On 16 April 2008, the company announced that it has gone into the black in the year ended 31 March 2008, with an increase of 20% in number of passengers carried and a passenger load factor of over 75%, an increase of 4% over the previous year [ [http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/04/16/afx4895741.html Qantas budget carrier Jetstar reports FY profit ahead of schedule - Forbes.com ] ] .

History

Jetstar Asia was started with Qantas having a 49% stake in the airline. The other shareholders were held by the Singapore government's investment company, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited (19%) and two prominent Singaporean businessmen, Tony Chew (22%) and FF Wong (10%). It received its air operator's certificate from the Singapore government on 19 November 2004. [ [http://www.airasia.com/site/en/pressRelease.jsp?id=fc293b90-c0a8c85d-eb784700-77219ac0&type=read AirAsia In The Press, 25 July 2005] ]

Due to its belated entry into the market, the airline differentiated itself from its competitors by flying further anywhere within a five-hour radius from Singapore while its competitors flew to destinations within a four-hour radius from Singapore. The airline announced seven routes to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Pattaya, Jakarta, Surabaya and Manila, the most ambitious start-up plan compared to any of its Asian rivals, which would have given it the widest international coverage.

Online ticketing commenced at 0800 hours (8GMT) on December 7 2004, a day after the first three routings and their promotional prices were announced, namely S$48 (HK$228) to Hong Kong, S$88 (NT1788) to Taipei and S$28 (Bht725) to Pattaya on a one-way ticket for all seats in the first week of operations as each routing is launched. Flights to Manila began in 2005. As part of its differentiation, Jetstar flew to Ninoy Aquino International Airport instead of the cheaper Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Angeles City.

However, certain announced destinations like Shanghai, Jakarta and Surabaya could not be started. The non-start of flights to Shanghai was because China's aviation authority did not allow foreign budget airlines flying to both Shanghai and Beijing airports. Flights to Indonesia were not allowed as Indonesia's government embarked a policy of protectionism. Existing flights by low fare airlines like Valuair's flights to Jakarta and Denpasar, as well as Tiger Airways' service to Padang were not revoked.

Despite facing a difficult market, Jetstar Asia took delivery of a fifth aircraft in 2005, and sought approval for new routes. Jetstar planned to lease the aircraft from Atlasjet Airways, but the plane was later withdrawn from the lease arrangement. Discussions were held with Qantas to source additional aircraft. In 2005, the budget carrier is began seeking approval from Cambodian authorities to fly to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and was eventually granted rights.

Hot on the heels of Tiger Airways' success on the Phuket route, Jetstar Asia announced a 4 time weekly flight to Phuket. The flight commenced on October 25 2005 and arrived in Phuket every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. However, due to inconsistent demand and better opportunities elsewhere, Jetstar announced the suspension of flights to Phuket on March 27 2008.

By the end of December, it was clear that Jetstar Asia was bleeding cash and its investors were struggling to finance the airline. On December 2, 2005, Jetstar Asia announced that its CEO of , Ken Ryan, was stepping down to return to Australia. Mr Ryan would take on a new management role at Orange Star's majority shareholder Qantas, and would been replaced at the helm by Neil Thompson. On 9 February 2006 Jetstar Asia appointed Singaporean Chong Phit Lian as the airline's new chief executive officer, replacing interim CEO Neil Thompson.

On 26 July, 2006, Qantas decided to re-position both of its Jetstar ventures in Australia and Singapore as a single brand. This was followed by a launch of Jetstar's long-haul operations to 6 destinations in Southeast Asia from Australia.Fact|date=February 2007

On September 15, 2006, Jetstar Asia became the first international airline to land at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.Fact|date=May 2008

On August 13, 2007, Jetstar Asia moved to Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 2. Passengers would check-in at the new facility and board the flight at the existing passenger terminal building at Terminal 1 via an automated people mover system.

On April 16, 2008, Jetstar Asia announced that it had reported a profit ahead of schedule, ahead of local rival Tiger Airways. Both Jetstar Asia and sister airline, Valuair saw a 20% increase in revenue, a 4% rise in passenger load and an overall 20% jump in passenger carriage for the year ending March 2008. The airline's CEO attributes its success to better brand awareness, as well as an increased utilization of aircraft, growing revenue and a broadening of the earning base.

Jetstar Asia-Valuair Merger

Jetstar Asia and Valuair merged on the 24 July, 2005, in the first major consolidation of Southeast Asia's crowded low-cost airline industry. Jetstar Asia and Valuair said they would continue to operate their normal routes under their own brands in the meantime, with little or no change to the service offered by either airline. Qantas chief executive officer and Jetstar Asia chairman Geoff Dixon chairs the new company. Jetstar Asia chief executive officer Ken Ryan has been appointed as the chief executive of both airlines. The new company is to expect a cash injection of around more than 50 million Singapore dollars in fresh capital into the new entity, largely to be provided by Qantas. Shareholders of Valuair, including airline industry veteran Lim Chin Beng, Malaysia's Star Cruises and Asiatravel.com, have now become minority shareholders in the merged company, Orange Star. Qantas owns 42.5% of airlines after the merger.

*On 19 September 2005 it was announced that Jetstar Asia would fly four times weekly to Phuket commencing on October 25, 2005.

*On 26 July 2006, Jetstar Asia and Jetstar was re-positioned as one single brand "JETSTAR". It also announced the launch of Jetstar's long-haul international operations to 6 destinations in South East Asia, Japan and the Pacific after the re-positioning as a single brand.

In the air

Seating

Jetstar Asia planes feature leather seats with a seat pitch of 30 inches.

Food and beverage

Since Jetstar Asia is a low-cost carrier, no food and beverages are provided. However, passengers may purchase food and beverage on board from the cabin crew. The menu, called Star Cafe, is provided by SATS.

Destinations

On March 25, 2007, Jetstar Asia began daily flights to Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat Airport. With the Qantas Group taking a 30% stake in Pacific Airlines and with plans to brand it under Jetstar, the 2 airlines began codesharing. As a result, flights were increased from daily to 13 weekly.

From February 1, 2008, Jetstar Asia began flights to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

From February 2, 2008, Jetstar Asia began daily flights to Macau as part of its plans to expand into China.

Jetstar Asia began daily flights to Medan Polonia Airport from March 30, 2008. The flights are operated by Jetstar Asia's sister airline, Valuair.

Future plans

There are plans to add destinations in India, China, as well as establishing joint ventures in Asia.

Codeshare partners

*Jetstar Airways
*Valuair
*Jetstar Pacific
*Myanmar Airways International

Fleet

As of 30 May 2008, the Jetstar Asia Airways fleet includes the following aircraft [ [http://www.caas.gov.sg/caas/en/Aviation_Development/List_of_Aircraft_on_Singapore_Register/year_2008/index.html List of Aircraft on Singapore Register - Year 2008 ] ] :

References

External links

* [http://www.jetstar.com/sg/index.html Jetstar Asia Airways]
* [http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Jetstar-Asia Jetstar Asia Airways Fleet Detail]