Skift Travel News Blog

Jetstar Asia, the low-cost carrier based in Singapore, has appointed John Simeone as its new CEO. Barathan Pasupathi, the outgoing CEO who led the airline for 12 years, will step down from his role on March 1 to “pursue other opportunities.”

Simeone, currently serving as the senior vice president for Asia at the parent company Qantas, brings over 30 years of aviation experience to his new role. Jetstar Asia Chairman Dennis Choo acknowledged Simeone’s extensive knowledge of the Singapore and Asian aviation markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Simeone stated, “My focus will be to continue the exciting journey we’ve started, building capacity and connectivity out of Changi Airport so we can keep offering great low fares to amazing destinations across the region.”

Last month, Jetstar Asia announced the launch of flights from Singapore to Wuxi in China’s Jiangsu province, establishing itself as the sole airline operating this route from Singapore.

Barathan Pasupathi had previously emphasized the significance of the Chinese market for Jetstar, with the airline also expanding its presence by introducing flights to Haikou early last year.

In addition to the focus on China, Jetstar Asia witnessed the reintroduction of popular destinations in Japan and responded to growing demand by increasing weekly flights to popular hubs such as Bangkok, Bali, and Phuket.

Travel agents could bring a real-world perspective to complex rules shaping the protection of air travel passengers, as part of a modernization proposal for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) watchdog for aviation consumer protection.

The Modernization Act (H.R. 3780) would see the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC) membership include a dedicated travel agency seat to the advisory body. The bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Julia Brownley (D-CA) on Thursday, 1 June. 

The five most recent ACPAC meetings, starting in December 2021, have centered around two major DOT regulatory proposals on ticket refunds and transparency in airline fees – crucial to business operations of travel agencies, whatever their final forms take. 

“Roughly half of all airline tickets in the U.S. are sold through the agency channel. Giving these small business owners, 70 percent of whom are women, an elevated voice in the DOT regulatory process will help the Department meet its consumer protection mission,” said Zane Kerby, CEO and president of the American Association of Travel Advisors (ASTA). 

Travel agents provide valuable insights through real-world impacts of complex proposals pending before DOT, currently missing from ACPAC’s process, added Eben Peck, ASTA’s executive vice president.

In its current form, ACPAC membership consists of one representative each of U.S. airlines, consumer groups, airports and state or local governments.