Jetstar to launch Thailand routes from Australia

Jetstar Airways, the budget airline of Australian carrier Qantas, will commence long-haul flights to six destinations starting with Melbourne to Bangkok on November 23 and Sydney to Phuket the following day. The routes will be serviced by six Airbus A330- 200 aircraft (303 seats) and will be operated three times a week. "This is great news as Australia is an important market to Thailand," said Destination Asia (Thailand) managing director, Pornthip Samerton. She added: "Phuket would be their preferred destination and we believe the new launch will definitely increase the number of arrivals to Thailand." However, she added that the main advantage would go to non-business tourism visitors who are travelling individually, such is the nature of budget carriers that are focused on individual travellers as opposed to groups.