'I still can't get over it': Flight, cabin crew mull over new course after Jetstar Asia closure

New Paper

3 days ago

Ms Vicky Wee, a flight attendant, has spent most of her working life in the sky. She started flying in her early 20s, fulfilling a childhood dream.
Now 65, she has racked up 42 years of experience in a role she describes as "a passion for flying".
The in-flight customer service manager told The Straits Times that her favourite part of the job is "meeting all sorts of people, interacting with them".
She joined Jetstar Asia 13 years ago, after more than 28 years with Singapore Airlines (SIA).
Asked how she felt about Jetstar Asia's looming closure, Ms Wee paused, visibly emotional.
"It's very sad. I still can't get over it," she said.
The Singapore-based low-cost carrier announced on June 11 that it would cease operations - more than 20 years since its maiden flight in December 2004.
It will continue to operate flights out of Singapore with a reduced schedule until its final day of operations on July 31.
More than 500 Singapore-based employees will be laid off when the airline closes. This includes over 100 pilots and nearly 300 cabin crew members.
Ms Wee is determined to remain in the airline business. "I still have a passion for flying," she said, though she is unsure if her age will affect her job prospects.
She has applied to be a part-time cabin crew member at Scoot, SIA's low-cost arm, after visiting a job fair held for retrenched employees at Jetstar Asia's office at Changi Airport Terminal 1.
"I'm still fit, so why not?" she quipped.
More than 300 employees visited the job fair, held from June 17 to 19.
Flight attendant Vicky Wee has racked up 42 years of experience in a role she describes as "a passion for flying". ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Nearly 40 employers from a mix of industries, from aviation and aerospace to public transport and hospitality, had come together in an effort to match Jetstar Asia staff with new jobs.
It was organised by the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) Aerospace and Aviation cluster, NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute, the Singapore Manual and Mercantile Workers' Union, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and Jetstar Asia.
NTUC said the fair featured more than 450 roles, including positions for pilots, cabin crew, customer service, engineering, and safety and quality assurance.
Ms Cindy Yap, Jetstar Asia's head of people, thanked colleagues across the aviation industry and beyond for their support.
"We've been overwhelmed by the response from employers wanting to come along to this week's job fair and speak to our people," Ms Yap said.
'I thought I'd finish my career here': Captain
Pilot Yohan Janeau, 38, was enjoying breakfast with family on June 11 when he found out about Jetstar Asia's closure.
"Honestly, I couldn't believe it," the Frenchman told ST. "I knew we weren't profitable. But to the point of closing the airline... it came as a shock."
His first thought was for his family. After moving countries four times in five years, Captain Janeau was looking forward to some stability for his wife and children, aged eight and five.
"Beyond the impact on employees, their families are also very impacted... the children, the wives, everyone."
He did not have much time that day to process the shock with his family. About two hours after he received the news about the airline's closure, he got a call.
A captain rostered to operate a turnaround flight to Phuket that day had decided that he was not fit to fly, being too emotional after hearing the news.
Capt Janeau stepped up to take over the flight. When he landed at Terminal 4 later that day, he was met with "sadness and tears" from other employees, who had gathered to support one another.
"It's not easy," said the pilot, who first joined Jetstar Asia in 2013 and was promoted to captain in 2017.
He got married in Singapore, where his first child was also born.
Captain Yohan Janeau noted that the closure impacted not only the airline's staff but also their families. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
He left the airline in 2018, to care for his sick mother, but rejoined in August 2024 after stints in other airlines and even the French air force.
His family had been excited to return.
"Singapore is where I thought my life would be for the next 20 years... We consider this our home," Capt Janeau said.
"I really thought that this would be my last move, and that I would finish my career here," he added.
He has applied for positions at SIA and Scoot, in the hope that his family can remain in Singapore, where his wife, also French, has found a job as a marketing and communications manager, and his children enjoy their school.
"I was very happy to see that the SIA Group stepped in (to offer jobs to pilots and cabin crew). Hopefully, it applies to foreigners like me," he said.
The SIA Group said on June 13 that it would create positions for retrenched Jetstar Asia employees across its airlines, including 100 jobs for pilots and 200 for cabin crew.
A spokesperson for the company said its aim is to support as many affected employees as possible in continuing their careers in the aviation sector.
Ms Wee, the flight attendant, said that while the overall mood among her colleagues has been sombre, they remain committed to their jobs and the airline until the inevitable end.
"I say, brace for it and move forward... Do your best, whatever comes."