The Qantas Group has announced a joint venture with China Eastern Airlines to launch Jetstar Hong Kong, which will cater to the growing low-cost travel market in Asia, particularly in China.
According to a press statement, the new carrier will “service short-haul routes in Asia, including Greater China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia” and is expected to begin services by 2013, subject to regulatory approval. Jetstar Hong Kong will launch with an initial fleet of three Airbus A320s before expanding to 18 aircraft by 2015.
Consistent with the Jetstar business model, the new airline will offer fares that are "50 per cent less than existing full-service carriers".
Chief executive of Jetstar, Bruce Buchanan, said: “This is a unique opportunity to capitalise on the enormous potential of the Greater Chinese market, where the penetration rate of low cost carriers is less than five percent.”
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific will be attending an official press conference for this new partnership. Stay tuned for further details.
For more information, visit www.jetstar.com
Alisha Haridasani
