In selecting Gold Coast over China as its second destination, Scoot again goes with low risk option

New Singapore Airlines (SIA) low-cost long-haul carrier Scoot announced today Gold Coast as its second destination after Sydney and confirmed its intention to launch services in Jun-2012. Scoot has decided to launch with two routes to Australia because the process of securing authorisations for China, which Scoot has said will also be served within its first year, is longer and more unpredictable. Gold Coast was selected over two other Australian airports on Scoot's short list, Adelaide and Brisbane, because of Gold Coast's excellent track record of success with LCCs, including Asia's two existing low-cost long-haul carriers - AirAsia X and Jetstar. Gold Coast is also the largest airport in Australia currently lacking a link with Singapore.

Gold Coast is the fifth largest international airport in Australia behind Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth (see Background information). Among Australia's top airports it has by far the highest LCC penetration rate. Currently LCCs account for 98% of total capacity (seats) at Gold Coast, including 90% of international capacity and nearly 100% of domestic capacity.