Jetstar cuts MEL-HNL

[cabco]

From Travel Today Newsletter​

Jetstar will consider operating a daily Sydney to Hawaii service – pending regulatory approval - after announcing it would axe its twice-weekly Melbourne to Honolulu service from October 28.​

The cancelled services will be redirected to Sydney, which will now operate five flights a week to Honolulu.​

“Despite initially performing well, the Melbourne to Honolulu route hasn’t performed as well as the Sydney route in the past six months,” a Jetstar spokesman said. He said a number of Melbourne passengers were flying out of Sydney anyway via the Qantas codeshare deal. “The Sydney to Honolulu market is going very well, and for whatever reason it appears the Sydney market is where passengers want to fly out of,” the spokesman said.​

The spokesman also confirmed the carrier would look to expand capacity in the Sydney market. “We currently have rights for five flights a week but we may look at additional rights because we’d love to build towards a daily service,” he said.​

Passengers booked on Honolulu flights from Melbourne after October 28 will be transported to Sydney via Qantas and Jetstar domestic services.​

Tony​

 

[dajop]

Not surprised. Can't imagine too many of the target market for JQi wanting to fork out $1080 (which is the standard non-sale fare) + another $95 to be fed, watered & entertained. Plenty of other options available for holidays in the sun from Melb. One thing about JQi being an LCC, doesn't necessarily mean it's a Low Fare Carrier.

 

[adrian]

I flew SYD-HNL-MEL a few months back (Aprilish), and was suprised at how empty both flights were, including the Sydney one. At the time, I wondered how long they would be able to maintain it. On the SYD-HNL flight, almost everybody in the back cabin had a row of three or four seats each.

 

[AngieP]

I also flew MEL-HNL back in late April/early May and both flights were half full (even less on the way back). I too wondered how long they could maintain at that level especially given that the FA told us that the Jetstar Bangkok and Bali flights were always full. Sorry to hear about the demise of this service though as anything MEL-DIRECT I go for.