Jetstar has announced plans to expand its international operations out of Perth in 2024. The Australian low-cost airline plans to fly direct from Perth to Singapore, Phuket, and Bangkok.
This offers many Western Australians more options and choices for affordable tickets to South East Asia.
Perth expansion plan
As part of Jetstar’s West Australia expansion plan, the airline will open a new pilot base in Perth for at least 60 pilots, and base four aircraft in the Western Australian capital. The newly based aircraft are the latest Airbus A321neo LR inducted into their fleet.
With pilots being based in Perth, Western Australia, the airline will allow the low-fares airline to gradually build on its domestic and international network out of Western Australia.
There will be more new routes to be open in the upcoming months, but with Singapore, Bangkok, and Phuket ready to go, the airline is making a good grounding.
The decision to launch three more South East Asian routes goes in line with West Australia’s strong demand for low fares, and international leisure travel.
In fact, more than 400,000 customers have flown on Jetstar flights from Perth to Bali in the past year.
Jetstar and Western Australia
The airline’s investment in Perth has been propelled by its new aircraft, the A321neo LR, which opens up new markets, destinations, and route pairing for the airline; opening a vast amount of opportunities.
Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, stated that this is one of Jetstar’s most significant and boldest moves in terms of network expansions in recent years.
The CEO also says that this demonstrates a long-term commitment to providing more low fares to Western Australians, and how Perth is becoming a pivotal hub for the airline to South East Asia, with the new A321 aircraft.
Tully then stated: “This is a huge investment in our Perth operations. Having pilots and aircraft based in the west gives us the ability to add hundreds of thousands more low-cost seats to exciting new destinations across both our international and domestic network.”
“These three new routes will open up low-fares travel right across Southeast Asia for our west-coast customers, including easy connections via Singapore onto Jetstar Asia’s extensive network to 13 destinations throughout Asia.
“We expect to see West Australian travel demand continue to grow as we add more flights, and we’re excited to share more details of our Perth network expansion soon.”
WA Tourism Minister, Rita Saffioti, commented on how the new business model or the network expansion out of Perth boosts the state’s reputation and inbound opportunity for Southeast Asians.
The minister then added: “These new direct flights will provide another welcome boost to tourism operators here in Western Australia, and of course, also provide locals here with easier access to destinations across Southeast Asia.”
“Direct flights form a really important part of our tourism strategy, as it brings more visitors into our State, injects valuable tourism dollars into our local economy and supports local jobs and businesses.”
Jetstar has more opportunities to explore new markets with the new and efficient A321neo LR.
