Jetstar increases Singapore network, secures Changi transit approval

Singapore-based low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia has extended its flight schedule to the end of 2020, with one new route planned and more frequency hikes in the pipeline to and from four existing cities on its regional network.

The airline has also become the first non-SIA Group carrier to gain approval to carry passengers on transit itineraries through Singapore Changi Airport, starting next month.

December 2020

Next month Jetstar Asia will add Surabaya to its passenger network, while increasing frequencies to as many as six times per week on some routes.

Singapore – Surabaya is currently being served by Singapore Airlines and Scoot, however Scoot will take over from SIA on the route from early December 2020, leaving Jetstar and Scoot as the sole operators.

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 56 flights per week in November 2020, a 22% increase on November’s 46 flights per week. The airline usually operates around 580 flights per week, based on December 2019 data.

That lifts the airline’s capacity by flight volumes to around 10% of 2019 levels in December 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 13% of its ultimate future schedule is already being operated.

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

  Newly added this month

Flight schedules

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

Singapore to Bangkok flights (3K513) are cargo-only due to Thai government restrictions.

Singapore to Ho Chi Minh flights (3K555) are cargo-only due to Vietnam government restrictions.

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

Transit approval

Jetstar also confirmed this week it has gained approval to carry transit passengers connecting between its own services through Changi Airport from 1st December 2020, with those originating from the following six cities eligible:

• Bangkok
• Ho Chi Minh City
• Jakarta
• Kuala Lumpur
• Penang
• Phnom Penh

Transit passengers can be destined for any current destination on the Jetstar Asia network, including Clark, Manila and Surabaya, but cannot originate in those cities.

Transits are possible provided you book the full journey on one booking and check with the relevant authorities to ensure you meet the entry requirements for your final destination.

Passengers will be escorted to the transit holding area to wait in this segregated zone in between their flights. The exception is those originating in Ho Chi Minh, who are free to move around the transit departure area and access shops, F&B establishments and lounges as normal.

The maximum transit time at Changi is 48 hours. You can book one of the two transit hotels at Changi Airport as an alternative to remaining in the transit holding area if you prefer.

• Aerotel (T1)
• Ambassador Transit Hotel (T3)

Jetstar will become the fourth airline to be awarded transit approval through Changi, with the three SIA Group carriers already approved to do so since June this year.

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.

January 2021 onwards

Jetstar is still loading almost its full normal flight schedule into 2021, however this is subject to significant further reductions based on the COVID-19 situation closer to the time.

We expect a similar schedule of limited routes and frequencies will continue to operate in the New Year, with no imminent border relaxations on the horizon.

Summary

Jetstar retains its flying focus on key South East Asia capital cities during December 2020, with one new route to Surabaya alongside some frequency increases to and from other destinations, especially on Malaysia and Indonesia routes which benefit from business and essential travel reciprocal ‘green lanes’.

Gaining transit approval through Changi Airport from 1st December 2020 will assist the carrier to increase load factors slightly, for those still travelling between countries such as Malaysia – Philippines and Vietnam – Indonesia.

Overall Jetstar Asia has expanded to around 10% of its usual capacity by flight volumes and will serve nine cities next month, albeit on a much reduced schedule compared to normal.

(Cover Photo: Alex Wilson)