Jetstar launches daily Akl - Singapore flights

Low-cost airline Jetstar is launching a new daily direct service between Auckland and Singapore in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The new service will begin on March 17 next year and introductory fares could be as low as about $100 one way.

Jetstar says its standard fares on its daily direct services will be lower than the only carrier on the same route, Singapore Airlines.

Airline executive manager of operations Mark Dal Pra said it will start selling seats within the next fortnight. Although he could not say what fares would be, the airline launched a Melbourne-Singapore service today with a limited number of promotional seats at A$99 (NZ$122) one way.

As with its New Zealand domestic and transtasman services passengers will have to pay extra for food and entertainment and depending on the type of fare, there will be charges for bags.

An Airbus A330-200 will be used on the route with StarClass business class on offer.

Dal Pra said its StarClass was typically the same price as other carriers' full fare economy seats.

Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan said the new flights offered travellers "an array of new affordable travel options".

"Connecting our three largest operations in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore strengthens each of these businesses and builds a solid foundation for future growth beyond Singapore to North Asia and Europe," he said.

Today's news comes just days after Jetstar said it was adding an A320 airbus to its fleet and was announced on the eve of the first anniversary of their entry into the New Zealand domestic market.

The new service is subject to regulatory approval.

The new Jetstar services will support major New Zealand tourism initiatives including the 2011 Rugby World Cup, said Dal Pra.

Jetstar will base two wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft in Singapore. They are configured to carry 303 passengers in a two-class cabin.

Last month Continental Airlines announced it was planning direct flights between Auckland and Houston five times a week beginning November 2011.

That service will use the airlines new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter said the latest announcement would not only benefit New Zealand tourism and trade but would provide New Zealand travellers with greater choice.

"This news is very consistent with our own Asian tourism growth ambitions.

"Auckland Airport had recently signalled to the market an intention to invest further into building sustainable high growth markets out of Asia."

The announcement provided just some of the extra capacity the airport needed to achieve this goal, Moutter said.