Vietnamese low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific will revert back to its roots as Pacific Airlines, as the Qantas Group gears up to offload its 30 per cent stake in the business.
Pending regulatory approval, state-owned Vietnam Airlines (VNA) will see its share of the business upped to 68 per cent, allowing VNA to align the LCC more closely with its vision and branding.
The change will carry over into a new logo and livery, specifically inspired by VNA’s brand colours and design. VNA also reports a planned switch in its reservation system from Navitaire to Sabre, in order to allow the low-cost carrier to streamline its bookings, network and customer functions with VNA.
VNA executive vice president Trinh Hong Quang said, “Low-cost carriers will play a certain role in supporting the return of travel as restrictions ease, and by streamlining functions, Pacific Airlines can remain competitive, inherit many of the efficiencies of Vietnam Airlines and continue to offer the low fares our customers expect.
“We are optimistic that the dual brand strategy will leverage the brand and resources of Vietnam Airlines, and by undergoing innovation and improvisation, we will continue to see Vietnam Airlines Group maintain its position of leadership in the Vietnamese domestic market now and into the future.”
On Jetstar’s part, group CEO Gareth Evans said that the “disruption caused by coronavirus” made it the right time to reposition the airline to better fit the domestic market in Vietnam. To that end, he said that the reshuffle would allow the airline to “take advantage of the strength and scale of Vietnam Airlines in its home market”.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce had said in May that all options were on the table for the company’s Pacific branch, but assured stakeholders that subsidiaries in New Zealand, Singapore and Japan would remain part of the business.
