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Jetstar has officially opened its new base in Perth as it prepares to launch non-stop flights to Bangkok later this week.
The low-cost carrier is basing up to four planes and 60 pilots in the west, as announced in November, having already commenced services last month to Singapore and Phuket. The news comes as Jetstar moves all its domestic and international operations to the Airport Central precinct.
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Jetstar will operate four return flights per week from Perth to Bangkok starting this Friday.
“Strong demand continues for low fares flying and we’ll offer more than 300,000 new low fares seats a year with these new flights between Perth and Singapore, Phuket and Bangkok,” Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said.
“Last year we flew more than 370,000 customers between Perth and Bali, so we know West Australians can’t get enough of Asia, and we’re confident these new flights will be just as popular.
“Initially basing up to 60 pilots and four aircraft in Perth will allow us to continue to expand our network out of the West in coming years, providing more choice for West Australians and boosting the state’s tourism economy.”
Jason Waters, CEO of Perth Airport, has held up the new base – as well as Jetstar’s consolidation of operations – as proof of the airline’s “commitment” to WA.
“These commitments will create more local jobs and deliver enormous benefits to the tourism and trade opportunities,” he said.
“Jetstar’s domestic operations have now also relocated to T2, which is next to T1 International – making it easier for Jetstar passengers to seamlessly transit between domestic and international operations.
“We look forward to working with the Jetstar team in making these routes successful.”
Perth has been positioning itself as the “western gateway” to Australia, being the jumping-off point for a number of destinations including Qantas’ non-stop Dreamliner flights to Rome, London and Paris.
According to WA’s Tourism Minister, Rita Saffioti, the new Jetstar routes will “provide a significant boost for Western Australia’s tourism industry” by boosting inbound traffic.
“We expect to see not only an increase in travellers arriving from these countries directly, but critically, more inbound traffic from markets with massive growth potential across Asia.
“Our collaboration with Jetstar underscores our commitment to growing Western Australia’s aviation sector and attracting more international visitors, providing more opportunities for travellers and supporting diversification of the WA economy.
“We also really welcome the expansion of Jetstar’s operations which is supporting up to 60 pilots and is another huge vote of confidence in the Western Gateway.”
Perth Airport and Qantas earlier this year settled a long-running dispute regarding the airline’s planned move to Airport Central.
