Launch of Jetstar Asia's air service brings more choices for passengers

(Hong Kong, 14 December 2004) - Jetstar Asia launched its maiden daily air service between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Singapore yesterday, providing customers more choice of carriers and prices.

Airport Authority's (AA) Airport Management Director Mr Howard Eng welcomed the opening of Jetstar Asia's air service, saying that budget airlines provide customers an even wider spectrum of choice of service and prices.

Jetstar Asia provides daily roundtrip flights between Hong Kong and Singapore in the beginning of its operation and will increase to two daily services from 17 December 2004 to 2 January 2005 to meet the additional demand of the holiday season.

Budget airlines operate air routes with relatively shorter distances and quicker turnaround time. Backed by an efficient team of airport staff, HKIA fully supports the operational needs of budget airlines and is their natural choice for opening up new business.

"HKIA endeavors to expand our air network as well as to provide the best quality service and facilities to our customers. Passengers traveling with budget airlines will find their experience at HKIA in any sense unique and memorable," Mr Eng said.

"Singapore is one of the places that have the most frequent air traffic with HKIA. With the commencement of Jetstar Asia's flight service, air connectivity between these two cities will become even better," said Mr Con Korfiatis, Chief Operating Officer of Jetstar Asia.

Budget airlines are opening up a new but rapidly growing market, reshaping the landscape of aviation industry and bringing new business opportunities to airports as well as the supporting industries.

Jetstar Asia is the second budget airline to provide air service between Hong Kong and Singapore after Valuair and the fifth budget airline operating at HKIA after Valuair, Cebu Pacific, Orient Thai and Australian Airlines.

Summary of flight schedule of budget airlines at HKIA

From left: Captain of Jetstar Asia's inaugural flight, AA's Head of International Marketing, Mrs Dora Kay, Jetstar Asia's Chief Operating Officer, Mr Con Korfiatis, and AA's Airport Management Director, Mr Howard Eng.

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