Jetstar Hong Kong appoints Chief Financial Officer

Mr Cheung commenced with Jetstar Hong Kong this month and will oversee the finance, IT, legal and procurement functions for the airline.

Jetstar Hong Kong Chairman Tang Bing said Jetstar Hong Kong was pleased to welcome Mr Cheung to the team, with his appointment representing a key step in building a world-class management team.

"Howard brings over 20 years' experience in senior finance roles across the industrial, manufacturing and information technology sectors in leading multinational companies," Chairman Bing said.

"He has a proven track record of success as a chief financial officer within complex businesses and has experience working in Hong Kong, China and the broader Asia Pacific Region.

"We are delighted to welcome a finance professional of Howard's capability and experience to oversee the airline's financial functions to ensure strong and profitable growth."

Launching in mid-2013, Jetstar Hong Kong will be Hong Kong's only locally based low fares airline. It expects to create over 600 hundred local jobs within the airline plus hundreds more in local engineering and ground handling suppliers and contribute over HK$8 billion to the local economy by the time the airline grows to 18 aircraft in 2015.

Prior to joining Jetstar Hong Kong, Mr Cheung was employed by Amcor and Rio Tinto Alcan from 2006 to 2012. He held a number of senior executive roles across the company, most recently Chief Financial Officer, Amcor Flexibles China. Mr Cheung also spent ten years at General Electric in senior finance and operations positions.

Mr Cheung said: "I'm excited to join Jetstar Hong Kong as it starts to transform travel for the local market and grows the aviation market."

As with other members of the Jetstar Hong Kong leadership team, Mr Cheung will be based in Hong Kong. Jetstar has recently made important Hong Kong appointments including a Regional Marketing Manager, Regional Sales Manager and Manager Crew Training. The airline expects to make an announcement regarding the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer within the next month.

Subject to regulatory approval, Jetstar Hong Kong will fly to destinations in Greater China, Japan, South Korea and South East Asia. The airline has received more than 2000 applications for pilots and over 1000 applications for locally based cabin crew since expressions of interest opened in November 2012.

* Subject to regulatory approval.