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India's Jet Lite shelves plans to fly to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: India's Jet Lite, formerly Air Sahara, is suspending plans to fly to Malaysia following its merger with private Indian carrier Jet Airways, a company official said Tuesday. Air Sahara has been renamed Jet Lite and is undergoing a restructuring to become a low-cost carrier, focusing on the domestic segment, said Kevin Marthinus, country manager for Jet Airways in Malaysia.

The merger, which was announced in April, is expected to create an airline controlling nearly half of India's domestic aviation market, with a fleet of 89 jets. "There is a new management in India to helm the transformation of the airline. Right now, we are looking at how Jet Lite can compliment Jet Airways in the fast-growing domestic hub,''

Marthinus told The Associated Press. Air Sahara's previous plans to fly to Malaysia and other international destinations have been shelved until it completes its revamp, he said. Its New Delhi-Singapore flight - the airline's only international route - was terminated earlier this month as part of the overhaul, he said. Air Sahara first received landing rights in Malaysia in 2005.

Jetstar launches low-cost KL-Sydney flights

KUALA LUMPUR: Australia's Jetstar has announced that the first low-cost direct long-haul flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney will take off Sept 9 with a special web-only offer from RM88 upwards for a one-way ticket.

However, bookings have to be made between now and 10pm tomorrow, Wednesday, July 25. The offer is for two travel periods spanning Sept 9-20 this year and Feb 3-28 next year. The standard economy fare at other periods would be RM488, excluding surcharges and taxes.

The company hopes to have three weekly flights, subject to regulatory approval, it said at a presentation to travel industry representatives here Tuesday.

"Jetstar has sought to take a price leadership position in all international markets it serves," David May, general manager of marketing, said in a statement.

The company would also modify its "Double the Difference" voucher guarantee to include its KL-Sydney route.