Another sign that the low-cost carrier market in Asia is growing: Jetstar Pacific, the Vietnam-based member of the Jetstar Group of airlines, has announced the imminent launch of its first international destination.
Starting October 27, the airline will connect Ho Chi Minh City with Singapore daily with one of its seven A320s, linking the Lion City with its domestic network of nine destinations in Vietnam, including the newly announced Thanh Hoa in the north. If all goes well, the fleet will grow to 10 aircraft in the next six months, and more network expansions will follow.
Jetstar Group executive manager of planning and airline partnerships Alistair Hartley points out that Vietnam is one of the fastest growing domestic aviation markets in the world and according to the Vietnamese Civil Aviation Authority, domestic air traffic grew by 19 per cent in 2013. LCCs currently only account for 13 per cent of international passengers traveling in and out of Vietnam, so the airline group believes that the country has a lot of room for future growth.
The new service will complement the thrice weekly one offered by Singapore-based Jetstar Asia.
Jetstar Pacific is co-owned by Vietnam Airlines and the Qantas Group, with the latter holding 30 per cent stake.
Visit jetstar.com
Reggie Ho
