JETSTAR will today offer 5c airfares and will consider allowing passengers to fly for free as the battle of the low-cost carriers heats up.
The announcement of the 5c tax-inclusive fares comes as Singapore-backed Tiger Airways prepares for its first flights on Friday. Tiger has signalled its determination to make an impact, offering $9.95 fares.
The Jetstar 5c offer is limited to 5000 seats, which go on sale to members of its jetmail service and on its website between 7pm and 11.59pm today.
The fares are available on seven routes: Sydney-Gold Coast, Melbourne-Hobart, Melbourne-Launceston, Melbourne-Newcastle, Brisbane-Rockhampton, Brisbane-Mackay and Brisbane-Newcastle.
“We will market sharply throughout the year but we will be extra pointy when it comes to low-fare offerings at times of day and times of year on particular markets where we know demand’s a little bit softer,” said spokesman Simon Westaway.
“A seat flown that’s got nobody in it is an air seat wasted.”
Mr Westaway said Jetstar could be more aggressive on its pricing as its costs were 40 per cent lower than parent company, Qantas, and up to 20 per cent lower than those of Virgin Blue.
He did not rule out giving away tickets, noting that Jetstar monitored the way overseas airlines marketed themselves.
Source: The Australian
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November 21, 2007 at 11:46 pm