Jetstar Asia to Close at the End of July

Singapore-based budget airline Jetstar Asia will close down at the end of July, with affected passengers to be offered full refunds.

The airline has struggled with rising supplier costs, high airport fees and increased competition in the region.

More than 5-hundred employees will be laid off.

According to part-owner, Qantas, the shutdown will not impact the operations of Australia-based Jetstar Airways, nor those of Jetstar Japan.

The budget carrier will offer a progressively reduced service over the next seven weeks and travellers will be notified if their flight is affected.

Passengers with tickets to fly after the July 31 closure will be contacted by the airline.

Some affected customers could be moved onto alternative flights operated by the Qantas Group.

Jetstar Asia is advising people who booked through a travel agent or separate airline to contact those providers directly.

Sixteen routes across Asia will be impacted by the shutdown, including flights from Singapore to destinations in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.