Singapore jostles out KL as Jetstar's Asian Hub

Changi Airport has signed a 3 year agreement with the airline that will make it Jetstar’s largest air hub for its flights.

This means Jetstar will have much higher flight frequency and destinations from Singapore.

Says CEO Bruce Buchannan “Singapore is of high strategic importance to Jetstar and equally of great importance to the Qantas Group.” He added that Jetstar was hoping that the agreement would provide it with significant growth opportunities by providing it with a platform for sustainable growth throughout Asia. He also added that Singapore had clear operational advantages as a primary access point to Asia and was intent on building on those advantages.

Jetstar currently operates 408 flights each week to and from Changi Airport, taking passengers to 23 different destinations.

Other countries considered for Jetstar’s hub are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Ho Chi Minh. Changi will have most of the A320 aircraft Jetstar possesses, as well as A330-200 model for its medium to long haul flights, with total fleet strength projected at 100 aircraft by 2014/15.

Jetstar’s projected growth at Changi will include additional A320-family narrow body services and, for the first time, wide-body A330-200 medium and long haul flights to and from destinations in Asia and beyond. Jetstar also aims to grow the percentage of transit and transfer traffic through Changi among its passengers.

As a partner, CAG will work closely with Jetstar to explore route opportunities to grow its traffic out of Changi. CAG will also support Jetstar’s operational needs, such as to improve its ground operations and to enhance the airport experience of its passengers, for example by introducing an early check-in option for Jetstar passengers travelling on the same day.