Jetstar has opted to cease the unprofitable Gold Coast-Osaka route to enable a new non-stop service between Melbourne and Tokyo (Narita). The Gold-Coast-Osaka route, which operates three times weekly, will cease May 8, 2014.
The company said the decision fits with Jetstar’s strategy to ensure it deploys aircraft on routes that meet market demand and to continue delivering low fares across the entire network.
The news comes following the airlines announcement to close it’s aircraft base in Darwin, citing significant competition from other airlines.
The new Melbourne-Tokyo services will operate four times weekly on wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft fitted with business and economy class seating. Schedules and fares will be released in the coming weeks.
Jetstar Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Officer David Hall said the launch of the first direct low fares flights between Melbourne and Tokyo was great news for Victorian travellers.
“We know this is one of the largest unserved international markets in Australia and our bookings show that many Victorian customers are travelling to Tokyo via other ports in the network,” Mr Hall said.
“Jetstar Japan launched operations in Japan in May 2012 and is now the largest domestic carrier operating out of Narita Airport, offering flights to nine other cities across the country.
“Victorian travellers can look forward to convenient connections to great destinations such as Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo on the Jetstar Japan network.
“This announcement is also great news for the Victorian economy as we expect these services will bring up to 50,000 Japanese tourists to Melbourne each year.”
Fares on the new direct route are expected to be released for sale before Christmas with flights to start from 29 April 2014.*
