Big show of support for Jetstar Asia staff as closure looms

Soon after news broke in June about the closure of low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia, flight attendant Wayne Lee started receiving small gifts and notes from passengers.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan

The in-flight customer service manager was so moved by this that he now keeps the notes with him at all times, tucked into his cabin bag.

"It's a really warm gesture," Mr Lee told The Sunday Times. He said the kindness of passengers has helped him cope with an uncertain future.

The Singapore-based airline announced on June 11 that it would cease operations on July 31—more than 20 years after its maiden flight in December 2004.

The final flight—from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila—is scheduled to land at Changi Airport at 9.30pm.

More than 500 employees will be laid off when the airline closes.

"I had a sinking feeling," Mr Lee said, describing how he felt when he heard about the airline's closure.

"I'm thinking about my future," said the 42-year-old Malaysian, who has been a flight attendant since he joined Jetstar Asia in December 2011.

When asked whether he intends to remain in the industry, his answer was unequivocal: "I will. I must."