Jetstar Pacific to become Vietnam Airlines’ low-cost carrier in salutary move to both

The nascent and, at times, challenging Vietnamese market will undergo a positive structural shift following Vietnam Airlines taking over a majority 70% shareholding in Jetstar Pacific, the Qantas Group's Ho Chi Minh-based low-cost subsidiary. Qantas at the same time is increasing its share in the carrier, which was previously majority owned by the Vietnamese State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC), from 27% to 30%. Jetstar Pacific is expected to become Vietnam Airlines' only LCC brand/subsidiary, replicating in Vietnam the Qantas-Jetstar dual brand strategy pioneered in Australia and the new dual brand strategy at Japan Airlines - which also has turned to Jetstar to launch an LCC brand/subsidiary.

Vietnam Airlines had been planning to launch its own LCC in 2014, but is now expected to instead piggyback on the established LCC Jetstar Pacific and be able to grow its presence in the budget sector in a faster time frame. The Qantas Group will contribute AUD7.5 million (USD8 million) as part of a wider AUD25 million (USD26.7 million) capital injection at Jetstar Pacific. The capital will be used in part to accelerate Jetstar Pacific's long-delayed fleet renewal programme. The carrier's four remaining ageing Boeing 737-400s will finally be replaced with A320s this year and its A320 fleet, which now stands at only two aircraft, is expected to grow to 15 aircraft within the next few years.