Budget airline Jetstar began its new route from Singapore to Beijing on Thursday, November 24, 2011. Jetstar is the first low-cost carrier to fly this route and capture the small business and leisure travel markets. Jetstar also plans to add two more routes from their base at Singapore’s Changi International Airport to China later in 2012.
“Things are moving very quickly in China,” Jetstar Asia Chief Executive Chong Phit Lian said. “It’s already the world’s third-largest outbound tourist market and moving up. The appetite for Chinese to visit Singapore and the region is growing.”
Jetstar will operate its new Singapore – Beijing route with an Airbus A330. The aircraft has 303 seats and a mixed business and economy class configuration. One-way fares start from SGD128 (USD105) with extra fees for checked luggage and on-board meals.
Jetstar’s Australian passengers can also take advantage of this new route to China. Travelers from Melbourne to Beijing can take a Jetstar flight with a brief stop-over in Singapore.
It is also anticipated that upcoming budget airline Scoot will fly the Singapore – Bejing route in 2012.
