China is at the core of the Jetstar Group's future route development strategy, its CEO has admitted.
Speaking at Routes Asia 2018 in Brisbane, Gareth Evans said the country offers a "huge opportunity" based both on past experience and future potential.
However, he admitted the group would have to work hard in the highly competitive market to ensure it delivers its full potential.
Evans said: "There's a huge opportunity there (in China). The amount of growth we've experienced is massive and the amount we're going to experience in the next ten years is phenomenal.
"We've just got to be really strategic about how we do it as you can lose a lot of money if you're wrong as it is so competitive."
Evans said the airline currently operates more than 100 flights a week to 20 destinations in China.
He added Jetstar has been helped by the fact that is owned by the Qantas group which allows it to benefit from relationships it has with other carriers and specifically in this case, China Eastern Airlines.
And he argued any growth to the country would have to be implemented as part of a wider strategy with the Qantas group.
"If you try a sector general approach... you're going to find youself in a lot of trouble very quickly," Evans said.
Despite admitting China represents a big opportunity for the airline, he remained tight-lipped on other potential new routes.
However, Evans admitted a business case with strong financials, clear revenue guarantees and an effective marketing strategy "are the things that help me make those decisions".
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