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Jetstar Hong Kong to launch in 2013

By Budget Airline News

Plans have been announced for the creation of Jetstar Hong Kong. This new budget airline will be a joint venture between Qantas and China Eastern Airlines and is expected to debut in 2013.

Jetstar Hong Kong will fly short-haul routes to China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Jetstar is the low-cost wing of Australia’s Qantas Airlines, and regional versions such as Jetstar Singapore, Jetstar Vietnam, and Jetstar Japan are already in operation.

“We believe there are huge opportunities in the Jetstar low fares model throughout Asia, including Greater China,” said Liu Shaoyong, the chairman of Jetstar Hong Kong co-owner China Eastern Airlines.

In a statement, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said “We see tremendous potential for the Qantas Group in Asia and we’re looking forward to working more closely with China Eastern Airlines to deliver on it.

Scoot ticket sales now available

By Budget Airline News

Scoot, the new low-cost wing of Singapore Airlines, is ready for business with ticket sales now available through their official website. Sales to the general public launched on March 22, 2012, with one-way fares starting at $88 SGD inc. taxes and surcharges.

Starting from June 26, 2012, Scoot will operate daily flights to Sydney and five weekly flights to the Gold Coast, Australia. Scoot is a low-cost airline and additional charges apply for checked luggage, onboard meals, and advance seat selection.

Bookings can be made by visiting their official website at www.flyscoot.com or by calling (65) 3158 3388 in Singapore or (61) 2 8520 1888 in Australia.

Kingfisher axes all international flights

By Budget Airline News

The latest move from struggling Indian airline Kingfisher is to terminate all international flights. Scheduled services to its eight international destinations will end by April 10, 2012, and the frequency of domestic flights has been reduced by as much as 37%.

The cancelled destinations are London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Dhaka, Colombo and Kathmandu.

Affected travelers should contact Kingfisher for a refund or alternative travel arrangements. Contact details can be found at http://www.flykingfisher.com/.

AirAsia Philippines’ new Clark-Palawan route

By Budget Airline News

AirAsia Philippines, a new regional wing of budget airline AirAsia, has announced it will begin direct flights from Clark to Palawan. This will be AirAsia Philippines’ third destination and the new route will begin on April 20, 2012.

Flights will depart from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and arrive at Puerto Princesa, Palawan, an island recently voted one of the new ‘Seven Wonders of Nature”.

AirAsia CEO Marianne Hontiveros said: “”We’re a new player and we have to be sensitive to market demand. Palawan is a beautiful destination that travelers from Northern and Central Luzon would want to see. It is a market with lots of potential. It is gaining popularity and highly likely for us to anticipate additional frequencies.”

Cebu Pacific begins Manila – Hanoi service

By Budget Airline News

Cebu Pacific, the Philippines based budget airline, began its new Manila – Hanoi service on March 17, 2012. This twice weekly service departs Manila at 10:30pm, and the return flight departs Hanoi at 1:00am.

“This inaugural flight marks a very important milestone for Cebu Pacific, as we become the only airline to operate direct flights between Manila and Hanoi. This reinforces our commitment to continue expanding CEB’s reach in the Asia-Pacific region, and promote air travel to destinations not previously easily accessible to our passengers,” said Cabu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei.

Cebu Pacific also operates daily flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City, and will soon launch new routes Manila-Xiamen and Kalibo-Hong Kong (March 23, 2012), and Manila-Siem Reap (April 19, 2012).

Budget airlines ordered to move to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport

By Budget Airline News

Budget airlines operating in Bangkok, Thailand, have been ordered to move to older Don Mueang Airport. The move is intended to reduce congestion at the main Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The move has been ordered by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who says budget airlines should be offered incentives to relocate, but was announced Thursday, March 15, by Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa.

Domestic budget airline Nok Air is currently the only commercial airline operating from Don Mueang Airport. The other airlines that would be affected include Bangkok Airways, Orient Thai, and AirAsia.

Suvarnabhumi Airport was designed with a capacity of 45 million passengers per yet, but is expected to handle 51 million passengers in 2012. Shifting budget and chartered airlines to Don Mueang Airport could reduce passenger traffic by 15-20 million passengers per year.

Lion Air orders 230 Boeing aircraft

By Budget Airline News

Lion Air has signed a deal with Boeing to order 230 new aircraft. This is a huge move for the Indonesian budget airline and the deal is reportedly worth US $22.4 billion – the largest commercial aviation agreement in history.

Delivery of the new aircraft is expected to begin in 2017 and continue through 2026. This record-setting order includes 201 Boeing 737 MAX and 29 next generation 737-900ER aircraft.

Lion Air is Indonesia’s largest carrier by passenger volume and has already captured more than 50% of the domestic market.

Home to over 230 million and made up of thousands of islands, Indonesia is seen as an emerging economy and the demand for affordable flights is expected to grow rapidly in coming decades.

Bangkok’s Don Muang airport reopens

By Budget Airline News

Bangkok’s Don Muang airport is set to reopen on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The airport closed in October 2011 during the floods that affected central Thailand for months.

The only commercial airline operating out of Don Muang Airport is budget carrier Nok Air. The airline operates 35 flights per day within Thailand and is eager to return to its base airport.

Peach Aviation takes to the skies

By Budget Airline News

Peach Aviation, Japan’s newest budget airline, made its debut on March 1, 2012. Its inaugural flight was at 7:00am from its base at Kansai International Airport to New Chitose Airport, near Sapporo.

Peach has commenced operations as a domestic airline. Its initial schedule is three round-trip flights per day for the Kansai – New Chitose route and four per day for the Kansai – Fukuoka route. In April Peach will expand to Kagoshima and Nagasaki, and begin international flights in May 2012 with flights to Seoul’s Incheon Airport, South Korea.

To mark the debut flight, Peach CEO Shinichi Inoue, said: “This opens a new era of the Japanese airline industry. We will offer new friendly services just like trains.” Peach Aviation’s fares are comparable to train tickets for Japan’s high-tech bullet trains.

Peach Aviation’s early debut gives it an advantage upcoming budget airlines like Jetstar Japan and Japan AirAsia.

Visit http://www.flypeach.com/ for flight schedules or to make an online booking.

AirAsia cancels Darwin-Bali route

By Budget Airline News

Budget airline AirAsia will be terminating its direct route between Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia, and Darwin, Australia. The final flight is currently scheduled for April 29, 2012.

The Darwin Airport has confirmed that AirAsia will be pulling out of Darwin. AirAsia began flying Darwin-Bali in 2010, but reduced flight frequency in 2011.

For passengers who already have bookings for Darwin – Bali flights in May 2012 or later, AirAsia will offer refunds, credit, or tickets on a different airline.

The AirAsia Australia office can be contacted by calling 1300 760 330