Bangkok--8 Jul--Aziam Burson-Marsteller
Low fares leader Jetstar has announced its 7th destination in China — Ningbo* in Zhejiang Province — as part of the airline’s continued expansion into China. (Subject to regulatory approval)
Jetstar will start the new four times weekly Singapore-Ningbo* service from
9 September 2011 to become the first and only carrier to offer direct access between the two cities.
Ningbo*, 280km south of Shanghai on China’s eastern seaboard, is home to 5.6 million people, with a growing economy steered by its position as the second busiest seaport in China.
Ningbo* is accessible to Shanghai via the Hangzhou Bay Bridge — one of the longest sea-crossing bridges in the world, which has reduced travel time between the cities from four hours to around 2.5hours.
Ningbo’s history, culture and modern role as one of China’s major ports will ensure that it will be a sought after destination by holidaymakers and business travellers.
Jetstar Asia Chief Executive Officer Ms Chong Phit Lian said the new service would provide new direct point-to-point traffic between Singapore to Ningbo*.
“Creating new links to growing Chinese cities like Ningbo will stimulate tourist traffic for Singapore through our low fares.
“This service will also provide important direct access through Singapore to Jetstar’s broader Asia Pacific network to destinations such as Bali and Jakarta in Indonesia, Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand, Melbourne in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand.”
Singapore Tourism Board’s Regional Director of Greater China Edward Koh said China has consistently been Singapore’s second largest tourism market since 2006.
“Together with Jetstar Asia we hope to entice more travellers from Ningbo, and neighboring Zhejiang, to discover Singapore.
“As the region itself continues to grow Jetstar Asia’s new service will make travelling to Singapore even easier and more accessible.
“It will also allow us to firmly maintain Singapore’s position as one of the most popular destinations among the Chinese population.
Jetstar Asia’s direct flight between Singapore and Ningbo is introduced at an opportune time when secondary Chinese cities are growing in importance,
Jetstar will now fly to seven Chinese cities from Singapore including Haikou, Shantou, Guilin and Hangzhou, and has increased services to destinations such as Hong Kong, and Macau. Jetstar also services Taipei.
“China is a very important part of Jetstar’s Pan Asian strategy and we are continuing to focus our resources on further expansion opportunities into this market,” Ms Chong said.
“With relatively low, low cost carrier penetration into China, we see real opportunity to expand our brand into this market with a product that resonates with the Chinese consumer and the regional traveler,” she said.
Jetstar’s all day, every day low fares from Singapore to Ningbo* start from SGD198, all-inclusive, one-way (point of sale Singapore) at Jetstar.com.
Jetstar endeavors to offer the lowest fares on every route it operates, backed up with Price Beat Guarantee. Should any customer find a lower fare online, on the same day, same route and at a comparable time to Jetstar, Jetstar will beat the fare by ten per cent. Terms and conditions apply, see Jetstar.com for details. For information, go to Jetstar.com
Jetstar’s initial three times weekly flight schedule from 9 September:
Ningbo-Singapore Singapore-Ningbo
3K836 Depart 17:20 3K835 Depart 11:25 (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday)