Jetstar tinkers with international ops from Perth

By Andrew Curran.

March 4, 2026. 8.30am AEDT. Updated with input from Jetstar,

Jetstar is recalibrating its international flights from Perth later this year. It will launch seasonal thrice weekly Perth (PER) – Christchurch (CHC) round-trips on October 27, 2026. However, in the same week, Jetstar is suspending its Perth – Singapore (SIN) services.

The low-cost Qantas Group airline will use an A321-200NX to operate the Perth – Christchurch services through to March 27, 2027. Jetstar will be the only airline operating on the route.

Christchurch Airport CEO Justin Watson said the new Perth service reflects building demand. The flights will add another 30,000 seats to Christchurch's annual seat tally.

But for Perth Airport, at least, it’s a case of swapping out one Jetstar route for another. The airline's year-round three times weekly A321-200NX operated flights on the Perth – Singapore city-pair are becoming seasonal services only and flights will pause between October 25, 2026, and March 27, 2027.

Jetstar competes with Qantas, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines on the Perth - Singapore route, with all three airlines offering vastly superior frequencies.

Jetstar’s other international flights from Perth, including those to Phuket (HKT), Denpasar (DPS), and Manila (MNL) remain unchanged. Jetstar has moved passengers booked on off-season Singapore - Perth flights to Qantas. 

Jetstar has also said it will open a cabin crew base at Perth, generating around 90 jobs. Jetstar already has a pilot base in Perth, and several of its aircraft call the airport home.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the airline was firmly committed to building its Perth services.

Jetstar scales back Singapore presence

Meanwhile, Jetstar is scaling back its focus on Singapore. In mid-2025, the Qantas Group closed Singapore-based Jetstar Asia. Among other roles, that airline played a handy role funnelling passenger traffic to and from Jetstar’s Australia services.

Aero South Pacific is also aware the Jetstar is also reducing its B787-8 operated Melbourne (MEL) – Singapore flights from six per week to four per week from August 25, 2026.

When it comes to B787-8 ops, Jetstar is increasingly focusing on Japan and South Korea.

Jetstar’s other surviving Singapore service, the daily A321-200NX round-trip to Denpasar, is not changing. These flights continue to connect with several Jetstar services to and from Australia, including Newcastle (NTL) and Maroochydore/Sunshine Coast (MCY).

Photo: Jetstar.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com