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QF Board approves Jetstar International aspirations
The Board of Qantas Airways yesterday approved the establishment of a new long haul value based airline under the Jetstar brand.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said Jetstar would commence its international operations no later than January 2007.
Mr Dixon said the Qantas Board had also called a special meeting for Wednesday, 14 December, to further consider its long term fleet plan.
“This meeting is expected to discuss and approve major aircraft purchases, including the new aircraft for Jetstar’s international operations,” he said.
Mr Dixon said Jetstar’s initial route structure would require 10 aircraft and would involve point-topoint routes between Australia and Asian and Pacific cities.
“Subsequent expansion will see Jetstar undertake two-stage flying to European and other destinations.
“At all times Jetstar’s international services will complement Qantas’ mainline international operations, with an emphasis on inbound and outbound leisure routes,” he said.
Mr Dixon said Qantas expected that, within five years, the Jetstar Group would be operating a fleet of 60 narrow and wide body aircraft across its domestic and international network.
“However, this expansion will not be in any way at the expense of the Qantas full service domestic and international operations.
“Our aim for the Group is to expand in our traditional markets with Qantas and to expand in new markets with the most suitable product, be it Qantas or Jetstar. “The Qantas mainline operations are and will remain our primary focus,” he said.
Mr Dixon said Jetstar’s international operations would be based in Melbourne under Jetstar’s existing Australian management, with Alan Joyce as Chief Executive Officer.
“This move will create an additional 50 jobs immediately through the extension of the airline’s head office in Melbourne. Hundreds of additional jobs will be created within Australia in the first three years of its operation,” he said.
Mr Dixon said Jetstar would immediately commence the process of upgrading its Air Operator Certificate to operate wide bodied jet aircraft.
“We believe Jetstar will deliver the lowest cost air operations of any international carrier operating to Australia, similar to our experience with Jetstar’s Australian operations.”
Graham Muldoon
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