There was much excitement at Singapore Changi Airport yesterday when the Jetstar Group commenced operations from its new home in Terminal 4. Despite raising some initial objections, Jetstar has settled into its new location, with 25 Jetstar Group flights set to operate on Thursday.

Down to business in T4

The Jetstar group includes both Singapore-based Jetstar Asia and Australian-based Jetstar Airways. Jetstar Asia was the first of the two to move passengers through T4 with its first flight, 3K766 arriving at 00:40 from Manila. The flight departed Manilla Ninoy Aquino International airport (MNL) at 21:27 for the three-hour flight to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Jetstar Asia operated the flight with an Airbus A320-200, registration 9V-JSQ, and manufacturer serial number 05390.

At the other end of the day, Jetstar Airways' first service from T4 departed Singapore Changi at 23:31 and, after a 6:44 hour flight, landed at Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 09:14 this morning. Jetstar uses a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on this route, with last night's flight operated by VH-VKG.

To commemorate the occasion, passengers on all 25 Jetstar flights operating from T4 yesterday received tote bags and luggage tags as souvenirs. Adding to the festive nature of the day, passengers enjoyed live music, dance performances, and photo opportunities in front of the balloon-festooned backdrop near the check-in rows.

Changi Airport has been Jetstar Asia's home for almost 19 years, with more than 50 million Jetstar customers taking advantage of all that Changi has to offer. Jetstar Asia CEO Barathan Pasupathi said that the move to T4 will enable the airline to grow its fleet, add capacity and widen its network of destinations, bringing millions more passengers through the airport to enjoy low-fare travel. He added:

"I want to thank Changi Airport Group, our partners and the awesome team at Jetstar for reviewing and assessing every part of the customer journey, prioritizing the safety of our operation and ensuring we continue to offer the excellent travel experience our customers have come to expect from Jetstar."

Find more news about Asian aviation here

Changi and Qantas Group are old friends

Singapore Changi has always been a significant hub for the Qantas Group, and today is also a vital part of the Jetstar network of destinations to and within Asia. Matt Franzi, Jetstar Airways' chief operating officer, said the move to T4 reaffirmed the airline's commitment to Singapore as a destination in demand and a global hub.

"Singapore is a very popular destination in Jetstar Airways' international network and a great stopover for many travelers from around the world. With this terminal move our customers will continue to enjoy direct access to Singapore as well as excellent connectivity between Jetstar and our many airline partners."

A good illustration of Changi's importance to the group is that Jetstar Asia will initially operate more than 230 weekly services, using the Airbus A320s, in and out of Terminal 4. These flights will connect Singapore to critical destinations for the airline, including Bali, Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

Jetstar Airways operates up to six times a week between Melbourne and Singapore using the new-generation Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying around 200,000 passengers annually.

Have you used the Jetstar check-in at Changi T4 yet? Let us know in the comments.

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  Qantas

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  QF/QFA

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Brisbane Airport, Melbourne Airport, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

  Year Founded:

  1920

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  CEO:

  Alan Joyce

  Country:

  Australia