'Proud of what they've done': Jetstar Asia CEO expresses gratitude to crew on airline's final day of operations, Singapore News
Speaking to the media at Changi Airport Terminal 4 on Thursday, Jetstar Asia's CEO, John Simeone, 56, reflected on the airline's final day, while praising the team behind its success.
"It is a sad and emotional day. I've been in the crew lounge since 5.30am this morning to see off all the crew, and I'll be here tonight to welcome our last flight from Manila," Simeone, whose career in aviation spans 26 years, said.
The Australian, who took over as CEO in January 2024, reflected on the challenging journey of leading the airline through its final months.
"One of the things I'll miss the most is the friendliness and dedication of the crew," he said.
"I've found this group of people to be incredibly committed professionals in the aviation industry, and I am so proud of what they have done."
Addressing the difficulty of closing the airline, he added: "Breaking the news was exceptionally tough. One of the hardest challenges (as CEO) was telling 550 people that the business would no longer be operating."
Despite the bittersweet farewell, Simeone emphasised the importance of celebrating the airline's contributions to the region's aviation landscape.
"Jetstar Asia was a pioneer in this aviation landscape in Singapore, one of the first low-cost carriers that was innovative and transformative," he said.
Jetstar Asia's final arriving flight from Manila is expected to touch down at around 9.30pm.
Following that, it will begin the process of repatriating 13 aircraft back to Australia. About 54 per cent of staff hired
On the subject of jobs for the staff, Simeone said about 54 per cent of the staff have either secured new positions or are currently undergoing interviews.
Some cabin crew members have found ground roles with Qantas in Singapore, including positions in airport lounges.
Around 70 employees will remain in Singapore until the end of October to support regulatory matters, with another 30 staying through December to complete the final closure processes. 'End of an era'
For Captain Nico Van Der Schyff, 56, the final day of operations marks not just the end of a chapter, but the end of an era.
The South African, who has been with the airline for over a decade, will be in charge for the last flight to Kuala Lumpur.
"We've been doing this for 20 years, and to know this is the last time a Jetstar crew will walk out of this building to the aircraft — it's the end of an era, and that is very disappointing," he said.
Captain Van Der Schyff recalled joining the airline in its early days and witnessing its growth — not only operationally, but also in becoming a close-knit family.
"Since the announcement, (the response) has been incredible. People have given us teddy bears and cards. I'll really miss our Singaporean customers — they've been amazing."
Though he originally came to Singapore for just two years, he ended up staying for 20 years.
He is planning to go back home by the end of the year, take a break, and pursue his dream of starting an Italian restaurant.
Jetstar Asia announced on June 11 that it will be ceasing all operations, citing rising supplier costs, high airport fees and intensified competition in the region as reasons for the closure.
It has served over 50 million customers during its two decades of operations.
[[nid:720392]]
xingying.koh@asiaone.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Nasa acting chief Duffy issues directive to speed up moon reactor plans
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Nasa's acting administrator Sean Duffy has plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor that could be used on the moon. WASHINGTON – Nasa's acting administrator Sean Duffy plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor that could be used on the moon and alter the way the United States' space agency will partner with industry to replace the aging International Space Station. The plans, outlined in directives distributed inside Nasa and seen by Bloomberg on Aug 4, mark the first major policy changes by Mr Duffy after US President Donald Trump appointed him to the role as acting head of the space agency . One of the directives, first reported by US-based political news organisation Politico, would aim to speed up the development of a nuclear fission reactor that could be used to generate power on the moon one day and inform future designs for a powerplant that could be used on Mars. Nasa previously awarded contracts to commercial companies to come up with designs for small nuclear fission reactors, but Mr Duffy's directive instructs the space agency to put a call out to industry to create a more powerful reactor, with the goal of having technology ready for launch as early as 2030. The second directive targets Nasa's efforts to tap the commercial space industry to develop new space stations that could take over for the International Space Station when it is retired by the end of 2030. The directive changes the way the space agency will contract with the companies selected to create space station replacements, a step designed to provide more flexibility if Nasa's funding levels fluctuate in the years ahead. The moves come days after Mr Duffy met with the head of Russia's space agency, Mr Dmitry Bakanov, marking the first conclave between leaders of the two countries' space agencies since 2018. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore launches review of economic strategy to stay ahead of global shifts Singapore A look at the five committees reviewing Singapore's economic strategy Opinion Keeping it alive: How Chinese opera in Singapore is adapting to the age of TikTok Life Glamping in Mandai: Is a luxury stay at Colugo Camp worth the $550 price tag? Sport World Aquatics C'ships in S'pore deemed a success by athletes, fans and officials Singapore Strong S'pore-Australia ties underpinned by bonds that are continually renewed: President Tharman World Trump says he will 'substantially' raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases During the meeting, Mr Duffy and Mr Bakanov discussed the future of the International Space Station, the orbiting laboratory which is used by both nations, and joint exploration of the moon, according to a Roscosmos statement. BLOOMBERG
CNA
2 minutes ago
- CNA
Money Talks - Is it dangerous to invest in a meme stock?
The 2021 GameStop saga introduced the world to meme stock mania. Now, with the likes of GoPro and Krispy Kreme in the spotlight, the phenomenon is returning. Andrea Heng speaks with SMU's Associate Professor of Finance (Education), Aurobindo Ghosh, to unpack the psychology behind the hype and the risks for retail investors.
Business Times
32 minutes ago
- Business Times
Transitioning to ISSB requirements is not a mere labelling change
THE recently released EY-CPA Australia report on the state of climate reporting in Singapore revealed that more than two-thirds of Singapore-listed companies are falling behind on upcoming reporting requirements for companies with financial year commencing on or after Jan 1, 2025. Under the Singapore Exchange's (SGX) road map for mandatory climate reporting, companies are expected to transition from the current Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) requirements to International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) requirements. Companies must understand that the change from TCFD to ISSB is not a straightforward labelling change. While all 11 TCFD disclosure elements are incorporated into the ISSB requirements, there are additional disclosures that companies need to make. For example, ISSB requires entities to provide an analysis of climate-related risks and opportunities across different time horizons, including their financial implications; disclose material information about the sustainability-related risks and opportunities that could reasonably be expected to affect their prospects; and make additional Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosures. This last part on Scope 3 GHG reporting requirement is currently under further review by the SGX, and thus not mandatory. According to the EY-CPA Australia report, for their FY2024 climate reports, under the current TCFD requirements, Singapore companies are making an average of nine out of 11 disclosures, up from eight in the previous year. Eliza Tan, head of Sustainable Development Office at SGX Regulation, said: 'Companies have made progress, though they are still some ways from producing high-quality climate reports.' BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up However, a closer examination of the distribution reveals a notable gap between large versus small to medium-sized companies. Among the 62 large-cap companies – those with a market capitalisation of more than S$1 billion – 60 per cent made disclosures against all 11 TCFD recommendations. This contrasts with 35 per cent of 57 mid-cap companies – those with a market capitalisation between S$300 million and S$1 billion – and a much lower 25 per cent of 232 small-cap companies that did so. This is the same worrying picture shared by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF). In a survey of 40 companies earlier this year, only 4 per cent expressed confidence about meeting the deadline. SBF is lobbying for an extension for small and mid-cap companies, as well as improved guidance of the 'proportionality mechanisms' as allowed by the ISSB. Whether the deadline is extended, the road ahead is clearly challenging for many companies, but it is one that must be met head on. Today, stakeholders are demanding actionable, transparent plans that clearly articulate how these ambitions will be realised. This call for more credible and meaningful sustainability data and reporting is clearer and louder than ever – and will only intensify further. In fact, companies that continue to view climate reporting as a mere tickbox exercise will miss out on the opportunity to showcase how they are creating long-term value. Those who lead the charge will unlock new markets, attract customers and access innovative financing options. Conversely, those who lag behind may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage, excluded from strategic value chains. Beh Siew Kim, chief financial and sustainability officer at The Ascott, said: 'Those who act now will not only build future-ready businesses, but also drive the evolution of their industries.' To ensure the momentum for climate reporting is sustained, companies need to do three things. Understand the true exposure of climate-related impact to the business. It is important for companies to take a holistic approach to assessing the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the business. Without conducting an adequate assessment, companies may struggle to mitigate climate-related risks to which they are materially exposed. They may also miss out on opportunities, such as increased access to funding via sustainability-linked financing, grants and new revenue streams, leading to a potential loss of competitive edge to their peers. Develop a robust transition plan. With a comprehensive overview of the climate-related risks and opportunities, companies can customise an actionable transition plan, focused on material areas that allows for effective resource planning and allocation, crucial for ensuring a viable transition to a low to no-carbon economy. When communicated clearly, a transition plan demonstrates clarity in the company's vision and accountability for its commitments to its stakeholders, both internal and external. Equip members across different functions with sustainability knowledge. As sustainability reporting is largely a by-product of the company's strategy, plans and actions, a whole-of-organisation approach is key. Beyond the sustainability team, board members and employees should also possess a strong understanding of sustainability and key topics. This will help them recognise the implications of climate change on their roles, and encourage cross-functional collaboration to support the organisation's sustainability agenda. For Singapore's listed companies, closing this reporting gap can help maintain credibility and competitiveness on a global stage that demands climate accountability. This not only fulfils regulatory expectations, but also fosters trust among investors and customers, ultimately driving innovation and sustainable growth. Themin Suwardy is an associate professor of accounting (practice) and the associate provost for postgraduate professional education at Singapore Management University. Ken Ong is an assurance partner at EY. Some parts of this article were first published in EY Insights. The views reflected in this article are the views of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the university, the global EY organisation or its member firms.
