The threat of increased competition from Tiger as Virgin Australia takes a 60% stake in the low cost carrier has left Jetstar unrattled, according to chief executive David Hall.
Both Tiger and Virgin have declared their intention to take on Jetstar, insisting increased competition in the low cost space will yield consumer benefits.
But Hall underlined the size of Jetstar's fleet and network as significant advantages in such a battle.
"We’re in a very strong position. We’ve got large scale and we’re very cost effective because of that," he told Travel Today. "They've got 11 aircraft, we've got 60. We've got 19 destinations, they've got much less."
In the face of such a challenge, the airline will focus on building its relationships with its customers, according to Hall who stressed the need for the competition to be conducted in a "sustainable" manner.
"We’re very well positioned to win in this market and we want to win and that’s good for the consumer," he said. "Bring it on – I'm sure we'll remain Australia's leading low fares airline."
Virgin and Tiger received Foreign Investment Review Board approval for the deal last week.
