Jetstar to double daily Singapore-Saigon service

Australia’s Jetstar said Tuesday it would boost capacity between Singapore and Vietnam by increasing its 8 times weekly services to Ho Chi Minh to a double daily service offering by July.

A Jetstar statement from Singapore said the carrier was growing its fleet from the island by 46 per cent with the fleet growing to 10 by mid this year with direct flights to Ho Chi Minh to benefit from this fleet expansion.

A Jetstar Pacific plane seen next to Vietnam Airlines aircraft at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. Jetstar Pacific is Vietnam’s second largest domestic carrier after Vietnam Airlines. (AFP file photo)

Jetstar currently flies its 180 seat A320 aircraft 8 times weekly between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City and will add an additional five weekly services by May which will grow to six additional services by July enshrining a double daily offering.

The new capacity will represent 2160 seats of added capacity from both directions.

Ms. Chong Phit Lian, Jetstar Asia / Valuair chief executive officer, said in the statement that while new markets were being investigated for the additional two aircraft, adding more flying to strong performing existing markets like Ho Chi Minh City is also a key priority.

She said, “Ho Chi Minh City has long been a strong performer for us, so it is very satisfying to be in a position to continue to fuel the strength of this market with additional new capacity.”

“With our growing networks out of Singapore and Vietnam with Jetstar Pacific, greater links between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City will continue stimulate traffic amongst networks and will support the Pan Asian growth of the Jetstar brand,” she added.

Jetstar Pacific, a venture between the airline and Vietnamese partners, is Vietnam’s second largest domestic carrier after national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

Ms. Chong said “A double daily offering with an early morning and afternoon flight schedule now offers both leisure and business travelers greater choice and flexibility.”

She also said the new services to Ho Chi Minh City would be funded by new aircraft arriving by mid this year with planning underway for additional network growth.

“We are in the process of finalizing the other new services and opportunities that we will pursue with this new capacity.”

Tags: Jetstar Pacific, Vietnam aviation