Jetstar Asia to expand operations in India

Bangalore, June 9 (UNI) The Singapore-based low cost carrier Jetstar Asia has evinced keen interest in expanding its operations in India.

Announcing this to newspersons here, airline's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Chong Phit Lian said the airlines currently operated only from Bangalore. ''We are awaiting green signal to start operations from other major cities.'' As many as five lakh tourists visited Singapore from India last year, she added.

There was no compromise with regard to safety aspects. The airlines was yet to make profit and register an impressive growth, she said.

Ms Lian said Singapore's Changi international airport would be the centerpiece in Jetstar Asia's strategy to offer seamless connections for travel within Asia. The airline's passengers would be able to transit through Singalore and enjoy a two-stage journey on a single ticket. The transit would occur seamlessly with passengers not being required to claim their baggage or re-check in, similar to that of a full service carrier, she explained.

She informed that Jetstar Asia had been adjudged the best low cost airline in both Asia and Southeast Asia categories in a worldwide survey, conducted by Skytrax.

The airlines, which operated in 12 major destinations in Asia, had a fleet of six state-of-the-art brand new Airbus A320s. The airlines also had strong association with Qantas, which held 44.5 per cent ownership.

UNI SR GD RKN1310