Budget carrier Jetstar has become the first foreign carrier to fly between Singapore and Shantou, situated in China’s Guangdong Province. 

Inaugural flight 3K 823 taking off Tuesday morning from Singapore Changi Airport.

Jetstar will operate the new route as a three times weekly A320 return service between Shantou Waisha Airport and Singapore.

Jetstar Asia is the first foreign carrier to operate international flights into Shantou Waisha Airport.

Shantou is Jetstar Asia’s 20th destination and second mainland China service, following the commencement of direct Singapore-Haikou flights (four times weekly) in the Hainan Province from December 16, 2009.

Jetstar also operates daily Chinese services from Singapore to Hong Kong, Taipei and Macau with all its operations conducted from Terminal One at Singapore Changi Airport.

Jetstar Asia and Valuair CEO Chong Phit Lian said China was a focus for future growth considerations by Jetstar and had immense potential for Jetstar’s low fares offering and broader Qantas Group network connections.

Shantou, a city of 5 million residents, is one of five special economic zones in China, and its commercial activities include it being the communication hub of southeast China.

“First time direct flight access between Shantou and Singapore will shave hours off existing travel times for travel between both cities and regions,” Chong said.

“Our direct flight time of just below four hours will halve the previous one stop flight option.”

Jetstar’s Jetsaver Light one way web fares from Singapore to Shantou start from SGD$208 at Jetstar.com.

Jetstar’s Singapore-Shantou schedule will operate each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 1 February – 11 March 2010 before reverting from 13 March 2010 with departures each Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Singapore-Shantou schedule (Departure times shown)

2 February – 11 March 2010

Singapore-Shantou Shantou-Singapore

3K 823 0600–1000 3K 824 1040–1440

Departs Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 1 Feb – 11 March 2010

Departs Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 13 March 2010 onwards

(An additional service will operate on Monday 15 Feb 2010 only)