Upbeat in Tauranga over Jetstar plans

Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker (right) and Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble say Tauranga is on Jetstar's radar for domestic services. Photo / George Novak

Tauranga is on Jetstar's radar for future expansion into the domestic flight market and would be welcomed, local business leaders say.

Jetstar announced last week it was looking at flying New Zealand domestic routes and indicated Napier, Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Nelson and Invercargill were being considered as its first destinations.

Priority One chief executive Andrew Coker said it was a question of timing as to whether Jetstar would come to Tauranga.

"We will definitely be on their radar. Let them sort out their teething problems first with the provincial locations. They will certainly have it right when they get to group two."

Competition was always a good thing and having another carrier could only be an improvement, he said.

Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said Tauranga was not missing out and the locations named initially were only the first pool.

"We talked to Jetstar and we aren't out of the picture at all. This is just stage one. I look at it the other way. It will happen and it's good getting a good competitor into the regional market."

Benefits of having another service would include a greater frequency of flights and cheaper fares.

Mr Dumble said Air New Zealand had increased its capacity to Tauranga with bigger aircraft and the only real complaint the airport got about the airline was its pricing.

The airport would not have to change anything immediately to cater for a Jetstar presence.

Mr Dumble said passenger numbers had grown 350 per cent in the last 12 years.

"We're really excited that Jetstar are getting into the regions and we feel it's only a matter of time."

Jetstar's Corporate communications manager Phil Boeyen said if any cities or airports were interested in having a Jetstar presence, they should approach the company.

The seven cities listed as possibilities were just that - under consideration.

Tauranga Chamber of commerce interim chief executive Toni Palmer said it was disappointing Tauranga was not included in the launch of Jetstar domestic service.

"The area is well supported by Air New Zealand but competition is always healthy in any business environment to ensure best pricing and service."

Tourism Bay of Plenty head of marketing and communications Kristin Dunne said more competitive access to the area would be good for tourism.

"Good, healthy competition is a good thing. For airlines in general it brings prices down for consumers and therefore makes it more attractive for both domestic and international visitors to fly here rather than drive."

More flights would likely target domestic visitors to Tauranga primarily as these visitors would have access to specials, but it would also encourage more international visitors to leave Auckland for part of their travels.