SYDNEY: The world’s first budget airline alliance was forged yesterday between AirAsia and Australia’s Jetstar to pool resources and expertise, procure new aircraft and revenue-sharing deals which could lead to cost savings of between A$200mil and A$300mil annually.
It will initially take 16 months from the signing of the agreement to see these savings but that figure is achievable every year thereon. The immediate cost savings will be in fuel purchases, maintenance, sharing of aircraft engine spare parts and ground handling in the Asian markets both carriers operate.