Jetstar increases Singapore flights in November 2020

Jetstar Asia is continuing to maintain its limited flying network from Singapore to eight cities next month, though once again the carrier is cautiously adding flight frequencies, this time to Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Penang.

As a result, the Qantas Group low-cost division will fly around 7% of its usual capacity during the month.

November 2020

Next month Jetstar Asia will retain its flying network, while increasing frequencies to as many as five times per week on some routes.

Flights between Singapore and both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh continue to operate with cargo only, carrying passengers on their return legs to Singapore, due to government-imposed entry restrictions in Thailand and Vietnam.

Based on FlightRadar24 data over the last week, Jetstar Asia continues to fly just three of its 18 Airbus A320s. The airline has already completed a downsizing exercise, which will see five of these 18 aircraft leaving the company by 2021, for a resized total of 13 jets post-COVID.

Overall Jetstar Asia will operate 186 flights in November 2020, a 25% increase on October’s 148 services. 167 of October’s flights will carry passengers, while 19 others will be cargo-only. The airline usually operates 2,500 flights per month, based on November 2019 data.

That lifts the airline’s capacity by flight volumes to around 7% of 2019 levels in November 2020.

Assuming the airline will recover to around 72% of its original size post-COVID-19 with a fleet of 13 Airbus A320s, in theory over 10% of its ultimate future schedule is already being operated.

Here’s how the frequency changes in November look compared to October 2020.

Flight schedules

Here is Jetstar’s flight schedule to and from Singapore for the month of November 2020, including days of operation.

Singapore to Bangkok flights are cargo-only due to Thai government restrictions.

Singapore to Ho Chi Minh flights (3K555) are cargo-only due to Vietnam government restrictions. Sunday Ho Chi Minh flight added from 15th November 2020.

Tuesday Penang flight added from 17th November 2020.

You can keep up to date with the latest Jetstar Asia schedules, which are subject to change, at the following link:

  Jetstar Asia Flight Schedules

What if your Jetstar flight has been cancelled?

Jetstar is offering travel credit vouchers to customers whose flights have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Request your voucher through the Manage My Booking portal here, by following these steps:

• Enter your booking number and last name
• Click on the ‘find out more’ button
• Select ‘check flight options’ button
• Click ‘view other options’ button
• Select ‘request reimbursement’

The travel credit voucher is a multi-use voucher and can be redeemed up to the value stated on the voucher across multiple Jetstar bookings, within 12 months of issue. A fare difference, if any, will apply. Customers will receive a voucher within two weeks of making the request.

If you booked through a travel agent or third-party website, you need to contact them directly.

December onwards

Jetstar is still loading almost its full normal flight schedule from 1st December 2020 onwards, however this is subject to significant further reductions based on the COVID-19 situation closer to the time.

It remains to be seen whether Jetstar will participate in the ‘Air Travel Bubble’ (ATB) dedicated flights programme between Singapore and Hong Kong once it is formally established.

We expect a similar schedule of limited routes and frequencies will continue to operate in December.

Summary

Jetstar is keeping its focus on key South East Asia capital cities with its limited flying network in November, with more frequency increases coming through especially on Malaysia routes which benefit from a business and essential travel reciprocal ‘green lane’.

Without feeder traffic from Qantas international flights and with no transit approval between its own services at Changi for the time being, Jetstar has a bit of an uphill battle against the SIA Group, relying on the (currently limited) point-to-point passenger demand market.

Nonetheless Jetstar Asia has expanded to around 7% of its usual capacity by flight volumes and will serve eight cities next month, albeit on a much reduced overall schedule compared to normal.

(Cover Photo: Sudpoth Sirirattanasakul / Shutterstock)