Jetstar adds new route to Cook Islands; Thai Vietjet resumes service between Da Lat and Bangkok

Jetstar announced it will launch new flights between Sydney and Rarotonga, marking the first time the low-cost carrier has operated direct flights between Australia and the largest of the Cook Islands. Taking off from 29 June 2023, the new service will offer two weekly return flights operated by Jetstar’s newest, and most fuel-efficient aircraft, the Airbus A321neo LR, which will carry up to 50,000 customers between the two destinations each year. Jetstar Group CEO, Stephanie Tully, said the launch of the new service was timed to coincide with the start of Australia’s winter school holidays. “Rarotonga is a stunning tropical island and we’re excited to introduce our great low fares on this new route ahead of next year’s winter school holidays, offering Australians an opportunity to escape the cold and explore one of the most beautiful destinations in the South Pacific,” said Tully. “We are thrilled to be operating our new Airbus A321neo LR on the route. The aircraft burns up to 20 per cent less fuel and flies longer distances, meaning we can offer more low fares to more destinations, helping people travel for less. The direct Sydney to Rarotonga will be our second route to the popular island and we thank the Cook Islands Government for their ongoing support.” Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said this marks the continuation of a mutually successful relationship with Jetstar. “Our country, like many others, has had to survive a long period of time with no visitors, and the announcement of these non-stop flights from Australia is another major step in our recovery. We are ready to welcome our Australian visitors with open arms and embrace the fact that our family based in Australia can return to their home more easily.” Thai Vietjet resumes direct service between Da Lat and Bangkok Thai Vietjet resumed the only direct service between Da Lat and Bangkok after nearly three years of suspension due to COVID-19 pandemic. Woranate Laprabang, Chief Executive Officer of Thai Vietjet, said: “We are delighted to reconnect Thailand with one of the top travel destinations of Vietnam – Da Lat, the city of flowers and beautiful natural landscapes. To provide Thai travelers with more opportunities and flexible choices to travel to Vietnam, as well as welcome Vietnamese tourists to Thailand, we have decided to resume direct flight service between Bangkok and Da Lat. Since tourism is bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels, we strongly believe that the service between the two destinations would facilitate the region’s growing travel demand and trade recovery of both countries.” The international service between Da Lat and Bangkok operates four flights a week on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday with the flight time of 1 hour and 45 minutes per leg. More flight frequency could be added subject to market demand. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]