Jetstar Asia has made a major advancement in its international flight distribution by announcing the introduction of interline ticketing and a settlement relationship with Qantas.

The intention of the new agreement will provide a seamless ticketing offering for airline customers on all of the Singapore based carrier’s markets.

From today the Jetstar Asia markets of Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kota-Kinabalu and Penang* will be available under the agreement for travel effective 1 August 2009.

Interline arrangements will progressively be launched to the airline’s remaining Asian network in coming weeks.

The Jetstar Group of airlines, including Jetstar’s Australian operations, also plan to extend interline and ticket settlement arrangements in the future between Jetstar Asia and a number of leading Asian and European international carriers.

Jetstar Asia and Valuair Chief Executive Officer Ms Chong Phit Lian said the introduction of interlining with Qantas and Jetstar in Australia would allow the Singapore based airline access to a range of new markets.

“This agreement provides both Jetstar and Qantas Group airlines with further opportunities to support an expanding Pan Asian network with renewed reach into new customer markets,” Ms Chong said.

“We anticipate securing greater incremental levels of passenger traffic in the future on some of our key markets served to and from Singapore not previously obtained through our primary distribution channel at Jetstar.com”.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the announcement was of strategic importance and would support a further strengthening of the Qantas Group’s competitive position and market offering for customers travelling to and within Asia.

“This is further demonstration of how a closer alignment being pursued between Jetstar branded airline operations across the Asia and Asia Pacific region is providing new and exciting platforms for growth,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The Jetstar Group remains focused on being nimble and adept to meet existing and future distribution opportunities to support the sustainable expansion of our brand and reach across the Asia Pacific region.”

Ms Chong said the interline agreement with Qantas would provide a seamless booking process for both our airline customers and agents wanting to expand their selling network into and within Asia, whilst also offering a normal settlement process.

She said examples of the new interline agreement with Qantas could offer London or German based customers the ability to purchase itineraries to Singapore and in time to all other Jetstar Asia markets on its existing flight network.

“The Jetstar Asia network, which includes many of South East Asia’s leading leisure destinations, will increasingly be able to seamlessly connect with Qantas’ global network into and out of Singapore,” Ms Chong said.

“Airline customers will be able to purchase for example a future London-Singapore-Penang* or a London-Singapore-Manila itinerary utilising Qantas and Jetstar services with full connectivity back to London.

“Numerous options through Jetstar’s expanding Singapore hub are also now available to support mixed travel itineraries to and from Singapore into Australia.”

Similar to interline offered by full service carriers Jetstar Asia’s interline ticketing will be available on Global Distribution Systems (GDS).

Jetstar branded operations now fly to over 50 destinations across the Asia Pacific region.

Jetstar’s Australian operations already offer interline and ticket settlement relationships with Qantas and Etihad, with future interline fare sales to start with South Pacific carriers Air Tahiti Nui and Air Calin.

* Subject to regulatory approval