Low fares leader Jetstar has taken off with a full contingent of passengers from Ningbo to Singapore, creating history as Ningbo's first international low cost carrier.

The three times weekly service, which will increase to four times weekly by November, is the only direct connection between the two cities, saving travelers up to five hours compared to current one-stop connections, and enabling connections to the many other destinations on the Jetstar network.

Jetstar Asia Chief Executive Officer Ms Chong Phit Lian said the new service heralded a new era of travel for Ningbo customers, who can now access fares to Singapore that are an average of 40 per cent lower than competitors operating a one-stop service. Sale fares will be even lower.

"Our low fares will no doubt stimulate new markets of travellers as we provide more opportunities to those who previously could not afford to fly," she said.

"We are seeing strong demand already from both local tour groups and independent travelers from Ningbo and great support from the business community.

"We welcome this auspicious occasion of celebrating Ningbo as our 8th greater Chinese destination, commencing services in the 8th Lunar month," Ms Chong said.

Ms Chong was joined by the General Manager of Ningbo Lishe Airport Mr Hua Dong to celebrate the inaugural service.

Currently there are an estimated 80 companies from Zhejiang based in Singapore, ranging from import-export to marine engineering firms.

Mr Li Ju, Director of the China Ningbo Centre in Singapore said, "Jetstar will be a key business link for entrepreneurs both in Ningbo and Singapore."

The new service is operated by Jetstar fleet of modern Airbus A320 aircraft with 180 all-leather seats

Jetstar passengers can purchase and enjoy a full range of in-flight products such as hot meals, beverages and amenities packs.

Jetstar's all day, every day lead-in fares from Ningbo to Singapore start from RMB998 one way, all inclusive of surcharges, fees and taxes.

Jetstar is committed to offer the lowest fares on all the routes it services across its networks in Asia, Australia and New Zealand through its Price Beat Guarantee. Jetstar will beat any lower online fare, on the same day, same route and at a comparable time to Jetstar, by 10 per cent. *Terms and conditions apply.

The carrier's Chinese network has grown dramatically over the last 18 months with five new mainland Chinese destinations being added to Jetstar networks

Jetstar currently flies to eight destinations in mainland and Greater China - Guilin, Haikou, Hong Kong, Hangzhou, Macau, Shantou, Taipei and now Ningbo. On the 24th November, Jetstar will continue its Chinese expansion with flights operating Melbourne-Singapore-Beijing** with the carrier's growing long haul fleet of A330-200 aircraft. **Flights subject to regulatory approval

Jetstar's three times weekly flight schedule from Sep. 9, 2011

(Departure times shown)

Ningbo-Singapore Singapore-Ningbo

3K836 Depart 17:20 3K835 Depart 11:25

Flights operate Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The service will expand to four flights per week from Oct.31, 2011 with an additional service on Thursday.

About Jetstar

Jetstar is Asia's largest and fastest growing low fares network. Jetstar's mission is to offer all day, every day low fares to enable more people to fly to more places, more often.

The Jetstar Group consists of Jetstar Airways in Australia and New Zealand, Jetstar Asia based in Singapore, and Jetstar Pacific based in Vietnam.

Collectively Jetstar offers up to 3,000 flights a week to 56 destinations in 17 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific region with a fleet of 80 aircraft.

Since 2004, Jetstar has flown over 75 million passengers and is the largest low cost carrier in the Asia Pacific by revenue. The Jetstar Group employs more than 7,000 staff across the Asia Pacific.

Contributed by Jetstar