Jetstar today announced the appointment of Mr Andrew David to the new role of CEO for Jetstar’s expanding long-haul operations.

Reporting to Jetstar Group CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, Mr David will join Jetstar during 2013 to oversee Jetstar Airways’ wide-bodied fleet operations out of Australia and Singapore.

Ms Hrdlicka said Mr David would bring additional management bandwidth to help successfully manage continued growth into new and existing markets.

“The Jetstar Group has grown to almost 100 aircraft flying more than 20 million passengers a year to almost 60 destinations. We’re putting additional leadership in place now to support this growth into the future,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“Andrew brings 20 years of experience in aviation to Jetstar, as well as management skills in IT, commercial and operations. He understands low fares and he understands our key markets.

“A key part of Andrew’s role will be the smooth integration of the Boeing 787 into the Jetstar fleet, as well as contributing to ongoing improvements in customer service, operational safety and revenue growth,” she added.

As part of the changes announced today, Jetstar Australia & New Zealand CEO, David Hall, will focus on the airline’s narrow-body A320 operations. This includes domestic short-haul operations in Australia and New Zealand as well as short-haul trans-Tasman and international flying from Australia to key leisure destinations in Asia and the Pacific.

Jetstar will be the first airline in Australasia and one of the first low fares carriers in the world to take delivery of the Boeing 787 in mid-2013. The state-of-the-art aircraft will gradually replace its fleet of 11 Airbus A330s as well as providing additional aircraft for growth.

Ms Hrdlicka said the combination of fleet, network, brand strength and continued low fares would be key to the Jetstar Group’s ability to drive travel demand in the leisure end of the market.

“We are serious about being the best low fares airline in the world, and having dedicated CEOs for our short and long haul businesses is part of that,” added Ms Hrdlicka.

“Our long-haul fleet is set to expand over the next few years and the B787’s cost advantages will open up new opportunities between Australia and leisure spots across the Asia Pacific.”

Mr David will be based at Jetstar’s head office in Melbourne.

Later this month, Jetstar will resume its long-haul Melbourne to Honolulu service in response to strong demand, in addition to its existing daily services between Sydney and Honolulu.