Jetstar seeks short-haul lift from China and beyond

TRAVEL may be taking off in China, but it may not reach its potential without more open-sky agreements and a serious expansion of aviation infrastructure, says one of the heads of Australian budget carrier Jetstar Group.

"China's aviation industry requires more infrastructure for airports to encourage more growth," Jetstar Group chief commercial officer David Koczkar told the Hong Kong Economic Journal's EJ Insight. "Optimising air access is also key."

Jetstar's interest in China's growth is keen. The low-cost carrier set up a Hong Kong arm in 2012 with backing from Shun Tak Holdings Ltd, Qantas and China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd, aiming to make Chinese tourists a significant part of its revenue. An integral element of the big plan is to ferry mainland tourists to other destinations within South-east Asia for gaming and sightseeing.