Chances of direct flight connectivity from Kerala to Australia has opened up with Jetstar Asia Airways Pte Ltd expressing interest to commence flight services from Thiruvananthapuram to Melbourne.
The Airports Authority of India, which manages the premier airport of the State capital, organised a stake-holders meeting in this connection to know the response of the travel agents, tour operators and captains of the commerce, industries and travel organisations on the proposal.
Jetstar Asia Airways Pte Ltd, operating as Jetstar Asia, is a low-cost airline based in Singapore. It is one of the Asian offshoots of parent Jetstar Airways, the low-cost arm of Australia's Qantas airline.
Director of Airport, George G. Tharakan, who made a presentation on the airport, said the budget airline was positive on the proposal as they have found that there will be adequate traffic to commence the flight services via Singapore to Australia in view of the increasing tourist inflow and students going for higher studies. “The flight from Thiruvananthapuram international airport to Melbourne via Singapore will commence in the winter schedule and other details like timings had to be worked out”, Mr. Tharakan said. The president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Thiruvananthapuram, S. N. Raghuchandran Nair said the airline has been asked to commence flight service only to Thiruvananthapuram international airport initially and to open up after build up. The Jetstar Group was represented by Joann Chow, Jet Star Asia by Commercial Head, Francis Louis and AAI by Executive Director and Head, Airport Marketing, Tariq Hussan Butt at the meeting. The airline team interacted with the stake-holders. As many as 40 persons representing travel trade, customs, immigration attended.
