Jetstar takes to the skies for Japan

Tags :Southeast Asia, Jetstar


Australias value based international airline Jetstar has taken flight to Japan, offering a daily service between Japan and Australia, flying direct between Sydney and Osaka and returning to Brisbane and onto Sydney.

Representing a brand new international route for the Qantas Group, the daily service, initially operated by a fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft (303 seat configured), will offer two classes of service including StarClass, Jetstar’s business class.

Jetstar flight JQ17 was bid farewell in celebratory style today at Sydney International Airport by Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce, Sydney Airport CEO Russell Balding and Australian tourism leaders, who flew into Kansai International Airport on Jetstar’s launch flight to Japan.

Jetstar’s daily return Osaka – Brisbane – Sydney service is also the airline’s first long haul international route into Queensland, enhancing inbound tourism opportunities and direct access for Japanese travellers into Australia through the provision of over 2100 seats each week.

Japan remains Australia’s third largest tourism export market with 651 000 arrivals in the last calendar year, but is experiencing decline with Japanese visitor numbers falling 5 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively over 2004-2006.

The changing dynamics of Japanese travel to Australia has been partially offset by a continued rise in Australian visitors to Japan, which grew last year by a further 3 per cent eclipsing 100,000 annual visitors.

By September 2007, Jetstar’s international operations between western Japan and Australia will grow Qantas Group operated capacity by 30 per cent, with Jetstar commencing direct Cairns-Nagoya* (6 times weekly from 2 August) and Cairns-Osaka* (4 times weekly from 8 September) services. (*Flights are subject to regulatory approval)  

This will consolidate Jetstar as the sole Qantas Group airline serving both Osaka and Nagoya.

Jetstar CEO Alan Joyce said the value based carrier was an integral part of the Australian tourism industry’s attempt to arrest the slide in the Japanese tourism export market through its new Australia – Japan operations.

“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 Joyce said.

The airline has established Jetstar Holidays Co Limited in Japan to operate a tour operator’s licence upon regulatory approval.

“Jetstar’s growing retail presence in both the Kansai and Chubu regions will be underpinned by a direct marketing spend by the carrier of over AUD $10 million,” Mr Joyce said.

“This will complement an existing multi-tier sales and distribution approach by Jetstar on the Australia – Japan route which includes the support of Japan’s largest wholesalers.”

Jetstar’s launch into Japan has also introduced a number of new inflight features including a dedicated number of fluent Japanese speaking cabin crew on each service, Japanese language content in entertainment programming and a specific menu.

Passengers on Jetstar’s launch flight to Osaka, who had purchased special web fares at Jetstar.com from AUD $249 one way.

Jetstar’s every day economy fares from Sydney or Brisbane to Osaka are available from AUD $479 one way and StarClass from AUD $1299 at Jetstar.com. Travel agents may charge more.

Packages sold by Japanese wholesalers and travel agents for economy travel on Jetstar will receive meals and unlimited non alcoholic drinks and headset to watch inflight movies plus a blanket. Economy passengers may rent portable video on demand units and buy additional drinks and snacks.

Jetstar will support its expanding international operations from both the Kansai and Chubu regions with its Osaka based office headed by Mr. Masaru Kataoka.

Jetstar’s flight schedule for Sydney – Osaka – Brisbane:
JQ Flight 17    Depart: Sydney    11.30        Arrive: Osaka        20.20        Daily
JQ Flight 18    Depart: Osaka        21.50        Arrive: Brisbane    07.45 (+1)    Daily
JQ Flight 18    Depart: Brisbane     8.55        Arrive: Sydney        10.30         Daily

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• Jetstar announces new daily services from Launceston to Melbourne and Sydney
• Jetstar to grow low fare flights to Launceston by 40 percent
• Jetstar to explore future growth in Launceston
• Jetstar announces flights from Melbourne to Queenstown
• Jetstar introduces latest navigation technology for New Zealand operations
• Jetstar set to further expand New Zealand low fare operations
• Jetstar Airways teams with SuccessFactors
• Jetstar announces iPad trial for in-flight entertainment

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