Jetstar Airways confirmed last Thursday that Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City were amongst Asian hubs being considered by the low cost carrier - in addition to other options such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.  Jetstar GM Corporate Relations Simon Westaway, revealed the plans at ANTOR’s Aviation Seminar held in Sydney last Thursday which discussed the outlook and challenges for the Asia Pacific Region over the next 5 years.

With other low cost airlines coming on-line from Australia to Asian cities, including Tiger Airways and Air AsiaX, Westaway said it was vital to gain “first mover advantage” over its competitors to obtain brand dominance.  Westaway said that so far one in ten Jetstar long-haul passengers hadn’t ever flown internationally.  He also revealed that Jetstar is considering offering flights to southern Europe as early as 2009 with Rome and Athens as likely destinations serviced by the
airline’s Boeing 787 aircraft. 

CEO of Capa Consulting Andrew Miller also spoke at the ANTOR event about the potential for flights via Middle-Eastern hubs to diminish over the next 5 years as airlines start to receive new longrange aircraft.  However he also pointed out the stunning growth of airlines such as Emirates and Etihad, which now have 19.8% of the Australia-Europe market compared to 4.4% in 2000.  He said that if all rights are taken up by Middle-Eastern carriers their capacity out of Australia will more than double again by 2012.