• Jetstar Hong Kong’s Air Transport Licence Application (ATLA) officially gazetted
• ATLA process represents next step towards starting the Hong Kong based LCC
• Hong Kong poised to follow success of LCC revolution in Japan

Jetstar Hong Kong has today welcomed the official gazetting of its Air Transport Licence Application (ATLA) by the Air Transport Licensing Authority; the next step towards starting Hong Kong based operations.

Jetstar Hong Kong’s ATLA outlines the carrier’s plan for establishing Hong Kong operations and airfares of up to 50 per cent lower than current full service carriers for Hong Kong residents to a range of destinations spanning across Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Jetstar Hong Kong Chairman Pansy Ho said, “It is exciting for all of us to be making progress in bringing the LCC revolution to Hong Kong.

“By bringing low cost travel to the city, Hong Kong will be able to capitalise the opportunities in the region and contribute to the sustainable development of our tourism market.”

CEO Edward Lau said, “It’s time for Hong Kong to have its own truly low cost carrier, to bring more choices and new travellers to our market and to provide us with the same access to low fares available in other parts of Asia,” he said.

“We are building the foundations of our business with a great local team and the proven Jetstar model. We are looking forward to take-off,” Mr Lau said.

The establishment of Jetstar Hong Kong will follow the recent launch of Jetstar Japan, which like in Hong Kong, launched in a market which had just opened to its first home-based LCC operations.

“Twelve months into domestic LCC operations in Japan and the impact of successful LCC models like Jetstar is clearly evident,” Mr Lau said.

“Domestic air travel has risen in Japan for the first time in six years and airports such as Narita, Oita and Okinawa are experiencing record numbers of passengers attributed to the introduction of LCCs like Jetstar.

“Jetstar Hong Kong is focussing on being this influential instigator of change in Hong Kong,” he said.

Jetstar Hong Kong expects to contribute up to HK$8 billion to the Hong Kong economy per annum when it is fully operational.

More than 1,000 employment opportunities including 600 direct local jobs are expected to be created by the time the airline grows to 18 aircraft.