Jetstar starts Manila-Singapore route today

Australia’s Qantas Airways, together with two Singaporean investors, have put up a value-for-money airline that will start flying the Manila-Singapore route starting today.

According to Jetstar Asia chief executive officer Ken Ryan, Jetstar Asia is not a low-cost airline but a value-for-money airline that offers a cheaper alternative to regular air carriers.

Jetstar Asia would still fly out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and offer a 20-kilogram baggage allowance.

However, Jetstar Asia’s fare price which starts at $79 one-way, would not include meals.

The low fare price of $79 one-way, it was revealed, depends on how early a flight is booked and demand for that particular flight.

Thus, as the seats on a certain flight are sold, the price of the flight could go as high as $179 one-way.

Since the fare does not include meals, passengers can purchase hot meals, snacks and beverages on board.

Unlike low-cost airlines which have first-come-first serve seating, Jetstar Asia, Ryan explained, would have assigned seating.

The objective of Jetstar Asia, like most other budget airlines, is to cater to a new market of flyers who cannot afford the cost of regular airlines.

Jetstar Asia’s is the third budget airline to service the Philippines following Asia Air and Tiger Airways which are flying out of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, Pampanga.

Jetstar Asia, which is based in Singapore, is majority-owned (49 percent) by Qantas Airways and Singaporean businessmen Tony Chew (22 percent ) and FF Wong (10 percent)

The Singapore government holding firm, Temasek Holdings, owns 19 percent of Jestar Asia. Temasek also has a stake in Tiger Airways.