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Valuair to be first budget carrier to fly from Singapore to China

Analysis

SINGAPORE (XFNews) - Valuair will next week become the first Singapore-based

budget carrier to begin flying into China when it begins a service to the

Sichuan capital of Chengdu, the airline said today.

Valuair will offer a one-month promotional fare for a return flight of 442 sgd, including taxes, at least 15 pct cheaper than its established rivals.

Singapore Airlines Ltd unit SilkAir and Air China are currently offering promotional return tickets to Chengdu for 520 usd and 555 usd respectively, inclusive of taxes, although their regular fares are generally over 700 usd.

Valuair, which began operations in May last year and already flies to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Perth and Jakarta, is trying to establish itself as Singapore's "second international airline".

It has positioned itself in the regional aviation market between the ultra-cheap budget airlines and the major carriers, with its flights still coming with light meals, assigned seating, leather seats and on-board service.

Valuair said it would announce a sixth destination within days.

Two other budget carriers, Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia, are also based in Singapore, while the Thai arm of Malaysia's AirAsia operates a service between the city-state and Bangkok.

Valuair's Singapore-Chengdu flight takes about four and a half hours and the service will operate four times a week.

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