The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Jet Airways daily flights to Singapore from December 7

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Jet Airways daily flights to Singapore from December 7

T.S. Shankar

Not worried about the entry of low-cost carriers; plans to work out newer marketing strategies

CHENNAI: With Jet Airways announcing daily flights to Singapore from December 7, travellers using the Anna International Terminal (AIT) will not only have a choice of four airline operators but will also be offered attractive fares.

"It is an important moment for Jet Airways to open up the third international route out of Chennai and sixth in its international route network, providing a unique flying experience on the twin class configuration, next generation Boeing-737-800 aircraft with winglets for improved performance," said Peter Luethi, Chief Operating Officer of the Mumbai-based Jet Airways, here on Tuesday.

The aircraft will offer 16 business class seats and 124 in the economy category. The inaugural economy class return fare will be Rs. 12, 000, besides a "companion free" promotional offer for both business class and economy class passengers.

Jet Airways was aiming to improve its present market share of 43 per cent, Mr. Luethi said.

The airline would be "flexible" in its marketing strategy and cruise with the competitive environment, as this particular Singapore sector was price conscious. The airline's core focus was on the domestic sector.

"We have a strong and accepted business model providing utmost comfort both on ground and on board and we have chalked out plans to offer more domestic routes and provide same day return enhanced frequencies on the domestic sector," Mr. Leuthi added.

Twelve more Boeing-737-800/900 series jets would be added to its current fleet of 40 to offer 285 daily services linking 48 destinations.

Jet Airways, as a full-service airline, was not worried about the entry of low-cost carriers entering the Singapore sector. At the same time, it would work out newer route marketing strategies for different travellers.

U. Shenoy, General Manager, South India and Sri Lanka, said it was a proud moment for the airline.

The daily daytime Chennai-Singapore flight (9W-016) would leave Chennai at 10.20 a.m. and reach Singapore Changi International Airport at 5.10 p.m. (local time).

The service (9W-015) will leave Singapore at 11.30 a.m. (local time) and arrive in Chennai at 1.10 p.m.

Onward connections

When contacted V. Raja, vice-president, Asia Pacific Region, based in Singapore, said the airline offered convenient onward connections to Australia, Far East and other South-East Asian points from Singapore and in the return direction, the Singapore-Chennai flight linked up several metros and non-metro routes.

Bridget Goh, Area Director of Singapore Tourism Board, described the entry of Jet Airways from Chennai as a positive development. It would further stimulate the market by offering increased capacity. Till October this year, the tourist traffic to Singapore registered a 20 per cent growth against 1 per cent during the same period last year.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu