Jetstar expands in NZ market

Photo / Greg Bowker

Qantas-owned budget airline Jetstar is expanding in the New Zealand domestic market by offering 39 extra flights from February.

An expansion has been signalled by the airline after Pacific Blue said it was withdrawing from the New Zealand domestic market from October 18, sparking speculation of a war between Air New Zealand and Jetstar.

The move also comes after the Australian competition regulator the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission blocked, in an preliminary opinion, a plan by Air New Zealand to work with Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd on trans-Tasman routes.

Jetstar is positioning two additional A320 aircraft in New Zealand by early 2011 and said the extra services are between, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown.

Jetstar has launched sale fares with one-way JetSaver Light fares starting from $29. Jetstar's usual New Zealand domestic JetSaver Light fares start from $49.

Jetstar Group chief executive Bruce Buchanan and newly appointed Australia, New Zealand chief executive David Hall said the expansion amounted to 717,000 additional annual domestic seats.

"Jetstar will deliver almost 20 per cent of the flying in domestic New Zealand with this growth, and through these affordable and convenient new frequencies on key city pairs, will allow even more Kiwis to fly more often," said Buchanan.

- NZPA