August 5, 2025 | 05:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jetstar Asia, a Singapore-based low-cost carrier, officially ceased all operations on July 31, 2025. After more than two decades since its inaugural flight in December 2004, the airline concluded its history with a poignant final flight, 3K764, from Manila to Singapore, carrying 156 passengers and seven cabin crew members.
Tears and farewells marked the scene at Ninoy Aquino Airport as Norazman Sapiie, the airline’s longest-serving flight steward and an employee since 2004, said goodbye to ground staff and led the crew for the last time.
As the aircraft took off, he said, as reported by Straits Times as saying, "Cabin crew, for one last time, let’s go home."
Reason for Jetstar Asia's Closure
According to an official statement from Jetstar Asia, the decision to close was made after a thorough review of its financial condition and the market. The primary factors behind this decision were unstable economic conditions, intense competition from other Southeast Asian low-cost carriers like Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, and a surge in operating costs.
Vanessa Hudson, CEO of Qantas, Jetstar’s parent company, explained that despite their best efforts, some of Jetstar Asia's supplier costs had increased by up to 200%, dramatically altering the operational cost structure.
Moreover, Jetstar Asia's limited operational scale, with a fleet of only 13 Airbus A320 aircraft, made it difficult to compete in a market dominated by airlines with much larger fleets.
Aviation analyst Tony Webber, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, said that Jetstar faced a difficult market, with Singapore being home to two other low-cost airlines that operate on a much larger scale.
He also noted that broader global uncertainties, such as trade tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and economic pressures, contributed to the airline's demise.
Qantas also announced that Jetstar Asia's 13 aircraft will be redeployed to its domestic markets in Australia and New Zealand. Although this will create 100 new jobs in those regions, it will also result in the elimination of approximately 500 positions in Singapore.
This decision affects 16 of Jetstar Asia's regional flight routes, marking the end of the company's presence in the Southeast Asian aviation market.
The final flight, 3K764, was filled with passengers who had personal connections to the airline. Among them was Barathan Pasupathi, the former CEO of Jetstar Asia, who joined the last flight himself. Other passengers, including a couple from Hong Kong, Ms. Tikka Cheung and Herman Yip, and the family of pilot Roy Espinosa Agarrado from the Philippines, flew in specifically to be part of the historic moment.
Emotions ran high as the plane landed at Changi Airport at 9:18 p.m. The flight crew was met by hundreds of people, who greeted them with cheers, hugs, and tears.
Jetstar Asia confirmed that all affected customers will receive full refunds or be offered alternative flights. For those with vouchers or Club Jetstar memberships, the company has ensured that the refund process will begin in August.
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