Bangkok--3 May--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
New airline entries in Australia and New Zealand are triggering a wave of deep discounting, as predicted by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, as airlines jostle for PR supremacy and bookings in this crucial phase, pre-Tiger launch.
Jetstar celebrates its third anniversary of the launch of services today with a high profile offer of 130,000 seats for sale — with some companion fares as low as USD2.50 per sector — inclusive of taxes — on many domestic, trans-Tasman and international routes (for travel between 16-Oct-07 and 12-Dec-07).
Jetstar’s headline grabber pre-empts Tiger Airways’ planned announcement today of its choice of base — expected to be Melbourne Tullamarine — and route network, which will initially include Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide. Virgin Blue retaliated to Jetstar’s announcement with 25% off all blue saver (discount) fares (for travel between 19-May-07 to 21-Jun-07, and 24-Jul-07 to 06-Setp-07), while Qantas has also launched a 5-day domestic fare sale (for travel between 17-Jul-07 and 19-Sep-07).
The frenzy is set to cross the Tasman, with confirmation that a new LCC, kiwijet, based on the Southwest Airlines' business model, plans to take to the skies in Dec-07, initially offering domestic services between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. Longer-term plans include uncontested trans-Tasman routes, including Wellington-Canberra, Auckland-Newcastle, Christchurch-Hobart and Rotorua-Sydney.
Meanwhile, the Qantas takeover is delicately poised ahead of tomorrow’s deadline for the bidding group to achieve acceptances by 50% of shareholders to its offer. But the ructions taking place in the market are unlikely to have much impact on the result, which will be largely played out by the hedge funds. The smart money is on the threshold being acheived - and the deal going ahead. But it may be a close thing.
Note to editors:
About Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) was founded in 1990 and has since built an international reputation as the leading specialist aviation consultancy in the Asia Pacific, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East regions. CAPA Consulting’s strategic advisory services are supported by the extensive information and data services provided by the Centre’s Market Research Unit to aviation industry leaders every day. The Centre also holds regular Aviation Leadership Summits, which provide unique opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences.
Head Office, Sydney:
Derek Sadubin, Chief Operating Officer
Aurora Place, Level 36, 88 Phillip St Sydney
PO Box N777, Grosvenor Place Sydney, NSW Australia 2000
Email: [email protected]
Southeast Asia Regional Office:
Alice Goh, Regional Director, Southeast Asia
Email: [email protected]
Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Office:
Kapil Kaul, CEO Indian Subcontinent & Middle East
Email: [email protected]
UK/Europe Office:
David Bentley, UK Associate
Email: [email protected]
North America Regional Office:
Martti Raito, Regional Director, North America
Email: [email protected]
North Asia Representatives:
Korea: Kyung-sup Lee. Email: [email protected]
Japan: Reiko Sonoyama. Email: [email protected]