Budget airline Jetstar made its first foray into Singapore's long-haul market, dominated by full- service carriers such as Singapore Airlines.
Its first flight from Melbourne landed at Changi Airport Thursday evening, carrying 279 passengers in two classes, eight hours after take-off.
Jetstar already flies long-haul out of Australia to destinations in India, Thailand, Japan and the United States. AirAsia, via franchise AirAsia X, also offer long flights out of its hub in Kuala Lumpur.
As budget airlines that traditionally operate within a maximum five-hour flying radius venture further, they are giving full- service carriers a run for their money in the long-haul sector.
On regional routes where carriers such as Tiger Airways, Jetstar and AirAsia compete fiercely, full-service airlines like Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airlines have seen yields drop as much as 20 percent as a result of more competition.
Jetstar intends to compete aggressively with fares as much as 30 percent lower than those of others. It also plans to launch more long-haul flights out of Singapore but has not selected the destinations.
