Jetstar takes off to Shantou in mainland China

Low fares leader Jetstar has become the first foreign carrier to fly between Singapore and Shantou, situated in China’s Guangdong Province, with inaugural flight 3K 823 taking off this morning from Singapore Changi Airport.

Jetstar will operate the new route as a three times weekly A320 return service between Shantou Waisha Airport and Singapore.

Jetstar Asia is the first foreign carrier to operate international flights into Shantou Waisha Airport.

Shantou is Jetstar Asia’s 20th destination and second mainland China service, following the commencement of direct Singapore-Haikou flights (4 times weekly) in the Hainan Province from 16 December 2009.

Jetstar also operates daily Chinese services from Singapore to Hong Kong, Taipei and Macau with all its operations conducted from Terminal One at Singapore Changi Airport.

Jetstar Asia and Valuair CEO Ms Chong Phit Lian said China was a focus for future growth considerations by Jetstar and had immense potential for Jetstar’s low fares offering and broader Qantas Group network connections.

Ms Chong was joined on Jetstar’s inaugural Singapore-Shantou service by members of Singapore’s Teochew Association along with one lucky couple who were married on board the flight before it started its journey to Shantou.

Rachel Chan and Alvin Lim, both intrepid travelers, exchanged vows in the presence of a Justice of the Peace on board Flight 3K 823, in front of some family members and all inaugural flight passengers.

Shantou, a city of 5 million residents, is one of five special economic zones in China, and its commercial activities include it being the communication hub of southeast China.

Jetstar’s Jetsaver Light one way web fares from Singapore to Shantou start from SGD$208 at Jetstar.com.

Jetstar’s Singapore-Shantou schedule will operate each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 1 February – 11 March 2010 before reverting from 13 March 2010 with departures each Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.