Bangkok--5 Aug--Aziam Burson Marsteller Australia’s low fares carrier Jetstar has confirmed Darwin as its future hub for its near Asian strategy bringing new planes, flights, jobs, visitors and future investment into the Northern Territory. With the financial support of the Northern Territory Government announced today, Jetstar will seek to build the infrastructure necessary for the carrier to base up to seven aircraft in Darwin over the next five years creating for the Territory unparalleled opportunity to build regional tourism numbers and to foster further industry development. Jetstar currently operates 46 flights into and out of Darwin each week, including international services twice daily to Singapore. A five times weekly service to Ho Chi Minh City will commence on 1 September* 2008. Both the Singapore and Vietnamese services will have some connections to Jetstar domestic services to Darwin from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Cairns. Flights and Asian destinations will grow under the new strategic plan which will initially see three aircraft by mid 2009 based in Darwin. Alan Joyce, Jetstar Chief Executive and Qantas Group Chief Executive Designate said creating a transport infrastructure hub in Darwin with direct access to some of the major cities and aviation networks in Asia, will give Territorians unprecedented opportunity to significantly boost tourism and build new industry networks. “Darwin will now be the strategic pivot for the growth of our Asian strategy with our short haul fleet of A320 aircraft,” Mr Joyce said. “The hub will build connections between Australia and Asia via Darwin, providing new direct access to more Asian centres and greater access to Jetstar’s growing networks in Singapore and Vietnam. “In September we commence the next stage in our Darwin-Asia strategy with the commencement of services to Vietnam. “We are looking at a range of destinations within a four to five hour flying range of Darwin,” he said. Jetstar in the very near future will commence recruiting for cabin crew and other Jetstar related personnel in Darwin. “Over the next few years as the hub build momentum, Jetstar will be hiring a number of direct staff but the potential indirect impact to tourism and industry opportunities and the boost to jobs cannot be underestimated,” Mr Joyce said. “With the support of the Government, the Airport and local industry we can potentially re-position Darwin as a strategic transport hub into near Asia. This then provides the opportunity for the city to sell its strategic geographic location to companies and industries trying to build complementary industry and operations in Darwin to benefit both South East Asia and Australia,” he said. Jetstar said there were still be challenges ahead to ensure that the Darwin hub proposition continues to perform in a cost efficient manner. “Challenges include the need to have a competitive charging regime at Darwin Airport. We continue to work cooperatively with the airport to realise this outcome,” Mr Joyce said. Media enquiries Simone Pregellio Corporate Communications Mgr Tel: +61 (0) 438 090 970 James Best Aziam Burson Marsteller Tel: 02-252-9871