23 November 2024 03:11 am Views - 123
By Nishel Fernando
With this launch, Jetstar Asia becomes the only low-cost carrier operating in the route.
Backed by an extensive network of codeshare partners, including Qantas and the Jetstar Group, the airline aims to facilitate travel from Australian regional towns to major cities, further opening doors to Sri Lanka.
Jetstar Asia CEO John Simeone expressed optimism about the potential to increase tourist traffic from Australia.
“Due to the unique proposition we offer as a low-cost carrier, I think Australians find value in connecting through the Singapore Hub to visit Sri Lanka. It also gives them an opportunity to spend a few hours in Singapore before arriving in Colombo,” said Simeone.
He noted a growing interest among Australians to explore new destinations. “A lot of Australians are looking to travel to places they haven’t been before, so I think this is a great opportunity to visit Colombo.”
Simeone highlighted high demand for the Colombo-Singapore route among Australian travellers.
“We think this demand will grow as more flights operate between Colombo and Singapore,” he added.
Australia remains a key focus market for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. As of the 20th of this month, Australia was ranked as the seventh-largest source market, with 73,289 tourist arrivals. Connectivity has often been a barrier, but Jetstar Asia’s partnerships and route expansion aim to address this challenge.
Simeone emphasised the strategic advantage of Jetstar Asia’s codeshare partnerships.
“It means we can connect with our full-service carriers at the Changi Airport hub, which is a real benefit. We have a significant number of passengers transferring at Changi. We are one of the very few low-cost carriers that offer such a service,” he noted.
He pointed out that Qantas alone operates over 50 flights a week from Singapore to key Australian cities such as Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, and Sydney.
“There’s an amazing opportunity to connect via Changi Airport from a Jetstar Airways flight onto a Qantas flight,” said Simeone.
As part of the Jetstar Group, the carrier benefits from a wide-reaching network that includes regional towns and cities in Australia, as well as international destinations.
“Jetstar flies to regional towns in Australia, domestic cities, and sought-after international destinations like Perth to Singapore, providing excellent connectivity out of the Changi Hub,” he explained.
Simeone also welcomed the proposed free-visa scheme for select countries, including Australia, as a potential boost for Sri Lankan tourism.
“It takes a bit of stress out of the process, and customers like seamless travel. Many travellers prefer destinations that are easy to visit. So, if this comes into effect, I think it will provide a significant boost,” he remarked.
Simeone underlined the importance of working with tourism authorities to promote Sri Lanka as a unique destination.
“Sri Lanka offers a unique charm for travellers, and we see Colombo not only as a great destination in itself but also as a gateway to other destinations like the Maldives,” he added.