Jetstar goes big on Indonesia with 48% capacity increase

15 Oct 2013 2041 | Business & Trade Fairs

JETSTAR Group is ramping up its presence in Indonesia through a 48 per cent boost in flight capacity to the country by end-October and the opening of a third Jetstar Travel Shop in Indonesia.

Out of Singapore, Jetstar Group (Jetstar and Valuair) will increase frequencies to Medan and Surabaya from six to 10 flights a week each, to Jakarta from 22 flights per week to 28 flights a week, and to Bali from 12 flights a week to 14 flights a week as of October 27.

This adds 14,352 more seats per month between Singapore and Indonesia for a total of 96,720 seats.

The group also launched its third Jetstar Travel Shop in Jakarta last week, the Indonesian capital’s second outlet.

Speaking during the opening of Jetstar Travel Shop Pecenongan last week, Jetstar Asia CEO, Bara Pasupathi, said: “Indonesians are getting more technology-savvy, and (reliance on the) Internet is getting stronger. (However), Indonesia is a very service-driven, customer-friendly market. Face-to-face interaction for customers is very important, especially when you are dealing with a sophisticated journey with multiple destinations, involving multiple parties.”

Aiming to lift sales and distribution in Indonesia, Jetstar opened its first shop in Kelapa Gading Jakarta, second in Supermal Pakuwon Indah Surabaya and third in Pecenongan Jakarta within the last 12 months.

Direct bookings through point of sales, online and travel shops, contributes between 60 and 70 per cent of the airline’s business in Indonesia.

Jakarta Express/TX Travel managing director, Anton Thedy, said: “We have partnered Jetstar since the launch of Valuair 10 years ago. We have been wholesaling the airline for the Indonesian market, and the travel shop will be our retail end.”

Asked if there would be a conflict of interest with other retail companies the company serves, Thedy said: “The prices for retail agents have to be, and will be, cheaper than that at the travel shop, otherwise I’m killing my own wholesale company.”

Sourced: ttgasian