Jetstar Asia to shutdown on 31 July 2025

[markis10]

They'll be used for growth and renewal. Qantas have said they will use some of the aircraft to replace those currently being leased. So, won't be growing by 13.

Some replacements but growth is the key, JQ heavily recruiting Bali and Thai bases in the last 4 weeks

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Article 19 addresses delay, not cancellation.

Article 19 addresses delay, not cancellation.

A cancellation is a delay. It’s an indefinite one, which makes it even worse for the airline

 

[Saab34]

I think the importance of this carrier especially when it came to offering connections was somewhat overplayed considering its financial performance over time.

Sure, it offered improved connections, but at what cost? Seems to be on its way to burning $1m per week. The Long Haul flights into Singapore won’t become unprofitable overnight because this airline isn’t around. Some will fly others, but the traffic fall off won’t be that huge here. I’d be interested to see what % of pax are transferring onto 3K, and if that traffic is even profitable for 3K.

Still astounds me how this business has gone on for this long. Cycling back over the QF reports over the years, it’s the same every year, ‘improved financial performance’ at Jetstar Asia.

 

[ANstar]

I never minded personally - the 3K hops were mostly very short and cheap anyway, baggage was thru checked plus access to the F lounge in SIN.

Would often do QF to SIN, then 3K to BKK/HKT/KUL over other direct options.


interesting with Jetstar’s international forays:

BL was smashed by VietJet
3K was smashed by Scoot

Despite having a solid head start in both markets.

Jetstar has always struggled against other Asian LCC's because the QF group demand such a high return on invested capital, it makes them much less risk adverse compared to their Asian rivals.

 

[HS-TQE]

According to The Age (Article Title: Cleaning Up The Mess that Alan Joyce left), Jetstar Asia (3K) was only profitable for 6 of their 20 years in operation.

So no surprise that VH decided to eventually pull the plug on 3K.

 

[moa999]

demand such a high return on invested capital

As per above, 6 in 20yrs of profit, is likely not making any return on capital.

Suspect that over the year Qantas had some largish loans into the entity so as not to have capital calls, and this might be as much Westbrook Investments not be willing to fund further investments as Qantas .

 

[Hvr]

I've actually purchased a ticket on QF35 to SIN, then JQ to BKK, for travel in December.

Got an email from QF this evening advising if the closure of JQ Asia and that QF will contact me on due course with an alternative. And please don't call unless your flight is soon, or you want a refund.

I've done the research and know my preferred flights so I can 'suggest' them when contacted.

 

[the8guy]

Wonder what would happen to the MEL-SIN-KUL route given now Jetstar ceased to operate? Gap there for MEL - KUL

 

[henrus]

Wonder what would happen to the MEL-SIN-KUL route given now Jetstar ceased to operate? Gap there for MEL - KUL

QF are already selling SIN-KUL on MH or SQ for not much more than the 3K pricing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A cancellation is a delay. It’s an indefinite one, which makes it even worse for the airline

Yessss… but… difference between a cancellation on the day of departure, or close in, and one which is announced for travel which is potentially months in advance.

3K will be giving refunds, it’s likely there will be other LCC operating the same route, for not much more cost.

Not sure MC99 will cover you deciding to fly SQ if Air Asia is available.

Worth putting in a claim for any actual damages, which the passenger will likely be required to mitigate anyway. But if the airline rejects the claim, the cost of going to court is likely to far exceed the few dollars difference in fare.

 

[docjames]

I've actually purchased a ticket on QF35 to SIN, then JQ to BKK, for travel in December.

Got an email from QF this evening advising if the closure of JQ Asia and that QF will contact me on due course with an alternative. And please don't call unless your flight is soon, or you want a refund.

I've done the research and know my preferred flights so I can 'suggest' them when contacted.

I’d be calling sooner than later so that your preferred option is still available…..

 

[rocket256]

I do wonder whether some of the regional intra-Asia routes might shift either to JetStar mainline (JQ) or perhaps even JetStar Japan (GK)? For instance, eliminating SIN > KUL will leave a huge hole in QF's route network.

This has already started to occur. JQ have recently started a fifth freedom flight using a A321 neo. JQ43 MEL - DPS - SIN.

 

[serfty]

QF are already selling SIN-KUL on MH or SQ for not much more than the 3K pricing.

Last year I flew return on a Qantas 081- ticket MEL-(QF)-xSIN-(MH)-KUL - it was about $35 more than MEL-(QF)-SIN return available during the same sale.

All booked into O class, so no earn on the KUL legs.

 

[henrus]

I spoke too soon about the $100 fares to access the SIN F lounge. JQ will still fly SIN-DPS with an a321neo and a 7pm ish departure. Fares start at $105 one way.

 

[jase05]

I spoke too soon about the $100 fares to access the SIN F lounge. JQ will still fly SIN-DPS with an a321neo and a 7pm ish departure. Fares start at $105 one way.

Plus $50 for the Bali visa

 

[dajop]

I spoke too soon about the $100 fares to access the SIN F lounge. JQ will still fly SIN-DPS with an a321neo and a 7pm ish departure. Fares start at $105 one way.

Much easier to take a $94.50 MH fare. As late as a 9:25pm departure and much quicker to get from T1 to T2 than T4.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I wonder if there will be a procession for the closure of JetStar Asia at the end of July in Singapore? I know some folks here who are QFF Elites but cannot fathom flying back to Australia to get the 4 ticks required to keep QF Elite status found JetStar Asia a quite convenient way of keeping QF status with minimal flying on QF Group flights.

Not sure MC99 will cover you deciding to fly SQ if Air Asia is available.

Well that is an argument you could certainly bring up in court. For instance, if the next available flight was operated by SQ whereas the Air Asia flight took off half a day later and involved a connection, then yeah a pretty strong argument could be made for choosing SQ over JetStar. Remember, there are no guidelines when it comes to the Montreal Convention, aside from the $9000 USD statutory maximum liability one could claim for damages from such disruptions.

Worth putting in a claim for any actual damages, which the passenger will likely be required to mitigate anyway. But if the airline rejects the claim, the cost of going to court is likely to far exceed the few dollars difference in fare.

Yes, but if you take it to court you could not only recover the damages from the new flight you had to purchase but also the court costs (including potentially your time) plus interest. So then Qantas Group has a choice, paying the fare difference or having to burn through several thousand dollars in court costs plus the reimbursement.

-RooFlyer88

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wonder if there will be a procession for the closure of JetStar Asia at the end of July in Singapore? I know some folks here who are QFF Elites but cannot fathom flying back to Australia to get the 4 ticks required to keep QF Elite status found JetStar Asia a quite convenient way of keeping QF status with minimal flying on QF Group flights.


Well that is an argument you could certainly bring up in court. For instance, if the next available flight was operated by SQ whereas the Air Asia flight took off half a day later and involved a connection, then yeah a pretty strong argument could be made for choosing SQ over JetStar. Remember, there are no guidelines when it comes to the Montreal Convention, aside from the $9000 USD statutory maximum liability one could claim for damages from such disruptions.

Yes, but if you take it to court you could not only recover the damages from the new flight you had to purchase but also the court costs (including potentially your time) plus interest. So then Qantas Group has a choice, paying the fare difference or having to burn through several thousand dollars in court costs plus the reimbursement.

-RooFlyer88

I think it’s hypothetical for the amounts involved with a low cost carrier. While the airline may end up covering your costs, as a passenger are you goung to spend hundreds of dollars to engage a lawyer, file the claim in the appropriate court, and take the chance that you may not win and end up having to pay the airline’s costs? For $50?

If MC99 was so easy for simple claims such as delay there wouldn’t have been a need for the EU and other countries to implement consumer laws such as EU261 or the equivalents. Those were introduced in part because MC99 is not ‘easy’ or practical in the vast majority of cases for things like delay.

 

[OATEK]

Not overly surprising there with their dwindling fleet since the COVID era and very minimal recovery at best. The writing was on the wall when Changi decided to move 3K to Terminal 4.

It also loses the QF group's sole link to KUL. I wonder if any limited codeshares on MH from the Australian capitals through QF mainline will be applied for at the ACCC (and) IASC?

I must say that as I taxied past T4 on SQ211 the other day I thought how sad and isolated the LCCs over there looked, including a couple of JetStar aircraft. I am sure that the move there did not help their attempts to achieve profitability.

 

[GalaxyNexus]

I think this can be good since I don't think transiting in SIN especially between T4 and other terminals is something that people look forward to. Also makes no sense to put LCC hub in SIN with the ridiculous fees.

With the A321s perhaps we'll see more to the point routes e.g. from Australia direct to southeast asia holiday destinations like LBJ or Cebu or even KUL. Combine that with fifth freedoms like DPS-SIN or DPS-HKT there's not really a need for SIN connection. Especially given the domestic market in SIN isn't that big nor interesting either.