After nearly 12 years at the helm of Jetstar Asia, Barathan Pasupathi, Chief Executive Officer, is set to step down from his role on March 1, 2024, to pursue new opportunities. Jetstar Asia has officially announced the appointment of John Simeone as the new CEO of the Singapore-based low-cost carrier.
John Simeone, currently serving as Qantas’ Senior Vice President for Asia, resides in Singapore and brings over 30 years of extensive global experience in the aviation industry to his new role. His career spans various critical functions within airlines, including Network Planning, Revenue Management, and Sales.
Dennis Choo, Chairman of Jetstar Asia, expressed appreciation for Barathan Pasupathi’s dedicated leadership, stating, “As a passionate and energetic leader, Bara has been a true champion of our brand and our people and has ensured Jetstar Asia is positioned for success as we look forward to an exciting future by increasing our fleet, launching new destinations, and welcoming new team members. I thank Bara for his exceptional contribution to Jetstar Asia over many years.”
The outgoing CEO, Barathan Pasupathi, shared his sentiments on the transition, saying, “I’ve been humbled by the tremendous support from shareholders, the Board, partners, and team members and I want to take this opportunity to thank them all. I am pleased to hand over the reins to John, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with closely for a number of years and who I know will excel in the role.”
John Simeone, the incoming CEO, expressed enthusiasm about joining Jetstar Asia, describing the airline as “incredible” and highlighting the passionate and talented people within the organization. He emphasized the pivotal role that Jetstar Asia plays in Singapore, providing low fares for residents and connecting to the broader Qantas Group in Asia.
Simeone outlined his focus on continuing the positive trajectory initiated under Pasupathi’s leadership, with plans to build capacity and connectivity out of Changi Airport. The goal is to offer affordable fares to a variety of destinations across the region, ensuring a seamless travel experience for customers.
Dennis Choo reinforced the continuity of the business under John Simeone’s leadership, stating, “John is a fantastic people leader and joins Jetstar Asia with over 30 years of aviation experience, including a deep knowledge of the Singapore and Asian aviation markets. John’s appointment provides continuity to the business and strong leadership to Jetstar Asia as we continue an exciting chapter of growth at the airline.”
The leadership transition at Jetstar Asia marks a significant moment for the airline, with a seasoned industry professional like John Simeone taking the reins. The airline looks forward to leveraging Simeone’s expertise to navigate the evolving aviation landscape and maintain its commitment to providing low-cost and efficient travel options for its customers.
In conclusion, the change in leadership signifies both a farewell to Barathan Pasupathi’s impactful tenure and an optimistic welcome to John Simeone, who is poised to lead Jetstar Asia into the next phase of growth and development.