• Jetstar’s low fares to fuel China’s tourist boom

Low fares leader Jetstar will significantly boost tourism between China and neighbouring Asia Pacific countries with its new, low fares flying to Beijing*. (Flights subject to regulatory approval).

A new daily Melbourne-Singapore-Beijing* service announced today will start from 24 November 2011 and carry more than 8,000 seats a week between Beijing, Singapore and Australia.

The new route will go on sale point of sale China at Jetstar.com in the near future.

The move will attract a new generation of budget conscious travellers from Australia and Singapore to visit Beijing.

Passengers will fly to Singapore and Australia in the comfort on a two-class A330 aircraft, with Business and Economy cabins, configured with 313 seats.

Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan said the new services to Beijing* marked a significant milestone for the airline which has invested heavily in growing a Pan Asian network.

“Beijing represents a critical step in the growth of our brand in China and the continued rollout of our Pan Asian strategy,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Beijing has so many attractions to offer our customers across Asia, including the world heritage listed Forbidden City, Summer Palace and, of course, the Great Wall of China.

“Using our Singapore hub, customers will be able to connect to another 25 destinations through Singapore, such as Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Perth, Darwin, Melbourne and Auckland,” he said.

“Connecting Melbourne, Singapore and Beijing is a significant occasion, not only in terms of tourism, but Jetstar is proud to support the strong economic and tourism ties between the cities.

“Australia is a major tourist destination for the Chinese, evidenced by a 27 per cent jump of Chinese passport holders who came through Melbourne airport during the past year,” said Mr Buchanan.

“Australia is home to more than 200,000 Chinese-born residents, with 50,000 living in Victoria. Another 167,000 Chinese students have come to Australia to study. We are confident our new services will appeal to the Australian Chinese community as well as the broader population.

Beijing* will become Jetstar’s 9th Chinese destination as part of a rapidly expanding China growth strategy which has seen in the introduction of flights to Haikou, Shantou, Guilin, Hangzhou and Ningbo all in the past 18 months.

The new daily Singapore-Beijing* service will connect with Jetstar’s existing Melbourne-Singapore service via Jetstar’s Singapore hub, with a stop-over in Singapore on the inbound Australian sector.

Melbourne-Beijing* schedule commencing 24 November 2011

Melbourne-Beijing (via Singapore)

* Melbourne – Singapore

• JQ7 12:00 – 16:50

* Singapore – Beijing

• JQ7 18:35 – 00:50 (+1)

Beijing-Melbourne (via Singapore)

* Beijing – Singapore

• JQ8 02:50 – 09:30

* Singapore – Melbourne

• JQ8 20:50 – 06:55 (+1)

* Subject to regulatory approval