Australia’s low fares airline Jetstar is to expand its domestic and international aircraft and crew bases to build a platform for its next phase of growth into Asia.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the announcement included four new or expanded crew bases, which would allow the airline to continue to maintain its low fares leadership.

Mr Buchanan said both the growth and realignment of Jetstar aircraft bases and associated pilot, cabin crew and engineering resources would see existing capacity and frequencies maintained, whilst better supporting the airline’s current flying operations and next growth phase.

Key changes include:

• Closure of Jetstar’s Hobart A320 aircraft and crew base from 1 May 2009, with relocation of the base’s single over-nighting aircraft to Melbourne Airport;
• Establishment of new A320 pilot bases in Darwin and Perth;
• Extension of Jetstar’s existing Cairns base to include A330 international pilots;
• Extension of Jetstar’s existing South East Queensland base (Gold Coast and Brisbane) to include A330 international pilots and cabin crew; and
• Addition of another A320 aircraft to Sydney.

Mr Buchanan said Jetstar’s continued growth of international long haul operations from the Gold Coast, its existing international long haul flying from Cairns to Japan, and expanding short haul international hub operations in Darwin and Perth were central to the changes.

“The continued evolution of Jetstar’s flying network, which is building connections between Australia and Asia, and within Asia, is a core driver for these changes,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The high productivity of our crew and aircraft is central to our ability to maintain our low fares leadership. By basing our crew and aircraft around Jetstar’s flying patterns and network growth, we are able to keep our fares low.”

Mr Buchanan said the carrier’s Tasmanian operations remained strategically and operationally important, with its domestic seat capacity levels to remain unchanged for the upcoming schedule period between March-October 2009.

“Our domestic schedule for Tasmania will continue to support 77 weekly return services from 28 March 2009 between Hobart and Launceston direct to the Australian mainland,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Management is now in direct discussion with affected employees and will be providing a range of options including relocation within the business as part of a nationwide pilot and cabin crew program.

“We believe these measures will continue to position Jetstar strongly for the future in view of the current economic conditions and ongoing competitive environment.”