With its parent airline launching a new base in Western Australia and adding new Airbus A320LRs almost every month, last Friday (November 24th) was a day for Jetstar Asia to shine. The Singapore-based low-cost carrier resumed services on one of its most popular Southeast Asian routes from Changi Airport to Osaka via Manila, returning low-cost travel from Singapore to these exciting destinations.
Another route resumed post-COVID
Jetstar Asia celebrated the relaunch of the Singapore to Osaka via Manila route after a three-year gap due to the arrival of COVID-19. The long-awaited service resumed when flight 3K763 departed Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on November 24th at 02:52 and, after a three-hour and eight-minute flight, arrived in the Philippines at 06:00, landing at Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL).
The ten-year-old Airbus A320-200, registration 9V-JSR and MSN 05433, spent almost two hours on the ground in Manila before departing at 07:57. It then arrived at Japan’s Osaka Kansai International (KIX) at 12:09. The return service, 3K764, left Kansai at 13:57 and was back in Singapore Changi at 22:07, after its transit through Manila.
According to ch-aviation, Jetstar Asia, a member of the Jetstar Group, has a fleet of seven Airbus A320-200s, with an average age of 12 years. These narrowbodies are configured in a typical low-cost airline style, with a six-abreast layout of 180 seats set at a pitch of 29 inches, with Friday’s flight carrying the full complement of 180 passengers.
The service will initially operate five times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. From December 30th, however, the route will switch to daily service as it builds up capacity for Asia’s end-of-year and Lunar New Year holidays.
More routes to Osaka
Jetstar Asia CEO Barathan Pasupathi said the carrier’s return to Japan was a big milestone as the low-fare airline continued growing its extensive Asian network. He described Osaka as an “exciting” destination for travelers from Singapore and the Philippines, adding that the routes demonstrate Jetstar Asia’s commitment to providing more low-fare options across Asia.
“Known as the food capital of Japan, Osaka is also famous for its nightlife, architecture, and history, so we’re excited to be able to offer our great low fares to this incredible city once again. And we know our Japanese customers are excited to have easy access to Manila, as well as being able to seamlessly connect to Singapore and the myriad of iconic attractions in our Garden City.”
Jetstar announced it was launching nonstop flights between Sydney and Osaka earlier this month, with services commencing from April 1st, 2024. Jetstar will operate the service, flight JQ13/14, three times weekly using one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and it will mark the first time in 15 years that the low-fare airline has operated the direct route.
Jetstar is also starting direct flights from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Osaka Kansai from February 2nd, 2024, with a frequency of four return flights weekly. Once those services are operational, Jetstar will be the only airline to fly from Osaka to Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns, the three most popular cities for Japanese tourists.
Source : Simple Flying
