JETSTAR IN SINGAPORE TO FLY TO MELBOURNE AND AUCKLAND

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, June 9 (Bernama) -- Low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways has chosen
Melbourne and Auckland as its first two long-haul destinations to operate out
of its Singapore hub.

The Qantas-owned Jetstar will begin Melbourne-Singapore services from
Dec 16 while the Auckland-Singapore flights will begin from March 17, 2011,
the airline said a statement on Wednesday.

Jetstar will base two wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft in Singapore. They
are configured to carry 303 passengers in a two-class cabin.

The first will arrive from Qantas in November and the second A330 will come
from the Airbus factory in early 2011.

Jetstar Chief Executive Bruce Buchanan said the new flights offered
travellers "an array of new affordable travel options".

"Connecting our three largest operations in Australia, New Zealand and
Singapore strengthens each of these businesses and builds a solid foundation
for future growth beyond Singapore to North Asia and Europe," he said in the
statement.

In May, the airline flagged plans to begin long-haul operations based out of
Singapore to Australia, North Asia and Europe.

The new flights will bring to 12 the number of long-haul destinations in
Jetstar's schedule, which includes flights from Australia to Japan, Thailand,
Indonesia and the US island of Honolulu.

Both the Melbourne-Singapore and Auckland-Singapore flights will also
operate on a code-share basis with Qantas.

The new flights are subject to regulatory approval.
-- BERNAMA