Jetstar to Fly Long Haul International Services

The Board of Qantas Airways approved Wednesday, the establishment of a new long haul value based airline under the Jetstar brand. Jetstar is expected to its international operations no later than January 2007.

Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon said the Qantas Board had also called a special meeting for Wednesday, 14 December, to further consider its long term fleet plan.

"This meeting is expected to discuss and approve major aircraft purchases, including the new aircraft for Jetstar's international operations," he said.

 Jetstar's initial route structure will require 10 aircraft and will involve point-to-point routes between Australia and Asian and Pacific cities.

Mr Dixon said, "Subsequent expansion will see Jetstar undertake two-stage flying to European and other destinations.

"At all times Jetstar's international services will complement Qantas' mainline international operations, with an emphasis on inbound and outbound leisure routes," he said.

 Qantas expects that, within five years, the Jetstar Group wil be operating a fleet of 60 narrow and wide body aircraft across its domestic and international network.

Mr Dixon added, "However, this expansion will not be in any way at the expense of the Qantas full service domestic and international operations.

"Our aim for the Group is to expand in our traditional markets with Qantas and to expand in new markets with the most suitable product, be it Qantas or Jetstar.

"The Qantas mainline operations are and will remain our primary focus," he said.

Jetstar's international operations will be based in Melbourne under Jetstar's existing Australian management, with Alan Joyce as Chief Executive Officer.

"This move will create an additional 50 jobs immediately through the extension of the airline's head office in Melbourne. Hundreds of additional jobs will be created within Australia in the first three years of its operation," Mr Dixon said.

Mr Dixon said Jetstar would immediately commence the process of upgrading its Air Operator Certificate to operate wide bodied jet aircraft.

"We believe Jetstar will deliver the lowest cost air operations of any international carrier operating to Australia, similar to our experience with Jetstar's Australian operations."

Jetstar's international launch network will focus on destinations within six to 10 hours of Australia, however an announcement about initial routes is only expected mid-2006.

Mr Dixon said "Jetstar will also continue to look for opportunities to expand further in the Australian domestic and New Zealand markets."

He added that as well as complementing Qantas' mainline operations, Jetstar would work closely with Jetstar Asia on opportunities in the intra-Asia market.

He said Australian Airlines would continue to supplement Qantas' mainline operations, principally on inbound and leisure markets.

Jetstar will offer two classes of travel on its international operations - Economy Class and StarClass (premium economy).

Jetstar's international product will feature:

- assigned seating with online seat selection at jetstar.com;
- baggage interlining for international connections on selected airlines, in line with Jetstar's trans-Tasman product;
- an expanded range of meals and snacks, including hot meals and local cuisine, which would be complimentary in StarClass and available for purchase on board or pre-purchase via jetstar.com in Economy Class;
- video on demand;
- the ability to earn Frequent Flyer points and Status Credit points on Jetflex and StarClass fares; 
- a Qantas codeshare arrangement on all flights, giving Qantas Frequent Flyers the ability to redeem award points on Jetstar flights; and
- access to Qantas Club lounges for Qantas Club members.

"The StarClass product will offer a seat similar to Qantas Domestic Business Class and a range of other benefits such as higher baggage allowances and priority boarding," Mr Joyce said.

"Customers appreciate extra levels of comfort and space for longer haul flights, so we believe StarClass will offer a valuable option for Jetstar's international travellers."

Mr Joyce said Jetstar's long haul services would offer a real growth opportunity for the Australian tourism industry.

"We will be working closely with Tourism Australia and state tourism organisations to promote Australia in our new overseas markets," he said.

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