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Jetstar grounds its late arrivals
SYD MH National: Jetstar grounds its late arrivals By Alexandra
Smith June 2, 2004 Arrive just a few minutes late at the airport and your Jetstar flight might not be so cheap after all. The no-frills Qantas offshoot, which has been flying in the domestic market for eight days, requires passengers to check in at least 30 minutes before a flight. Jetstar's policy is that passengers who arrive after the 30-minute cut-off will forfeit their ticket and have to buy another one for a later flight. "We have shown a level of flexibility so far and we are introducing the policy slowly and educating passengers about why it is necessary," Simon Westaway, a company spokesman, said. Only a handful of people had missed flights because of the check-in policy since the airline's launch, he said. However, a travel industry newsletter yesterday reported an incident last week involving five passengers in Tasmania. The five were booked on a 2.50pm Jetstar flight from Hobart to Melbourne but were grounded when they arrived at the gate about 20 minutes before take-off, the Travel Daily said. Mr Westaway said Jetstar's policy was aimed at achieving the quickest possible turnaround times at airports. "It means we can operate more sectors per week and we can have a more cost-effective airline," he said. Mr Westaway said passengers could pay for travel insurance if they were concerned, but admitted there were very few exceptions to the check-in policy. "Everyone who travels has to get to the airport so people need to plan for that," he said. The policy, printed in Jetstar reservation advice, reads: "To help us get your flight away on time, you must check in at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. You will not be able to check in after this time. Arrival after this time will result in you forfeiting the entire fare paid." A Virgin Blue spokeswoman, Amanda Bolger, said the airline allowed passengers to check in right up until the flight closed, although it discouraged people from leaving it that late. "Sometimes people's watches may be a little different to the clocks at the airport and although we like people to check in 30 minutes beforehand we are very flexible," Ms Bolger said. Qantas's check-in policy depended on a passenger's fare, said a spokeswoman, Melissa Thomson. "If you have luggage, check-in closes 30 minutes before the flight but if you don't, check-in closes 15 minutes before the departure time." Jetstar yesterday opened its new base at Avalon, 55 kilometres south-west of Melbourne and about 17 kilometres from Geelong. It will be the base for 70 weekly services between Melbourne and Sydney and Brisbane. An airport shuttle bus to Melbourne will cost $12 per adult. ##### --multiplaza.nl.nu-- |
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