Jetstar Adds a Ninth A320 Aircraft, Increases New Zealand Route Frequency

Jetstar Airbus A320

Jetstar will increase services between New Zealand’s three largest cities and boost flights from Australia to Queenstown when it introduces a ninth aircraft to its New Zealand fleet in November.

In response to the strong customer demand for Jetstar’s low fares offering, up to 36 weekly return flights will be added to domestic and trans-Tasman routes, increasing capacity by up to 50,000 extra seats every month, meaning more people can travel more often for less.

In Auckland for the announcement, David Hall, CEO Jetstar Australia & New Zealand, said the airline’s New Zealand based fleet would increase from eight to nine Airbus A320 aircraft from 15 November.

“Jetstar is now firmly established in New Zealand and these additional services follow strong growth for Jetstar services. The ninth aircraft continues our investment in our Kiwi operation,” Mr Hall said.

“There will also be new jobs for over 50 Kiwis including pilots, cabin crew and ground crew in our New Zealand team over the coming months as we prepare for the ninth aircraft.”

Mr Hall said the additional aircraft allows Jetstar to boost frequencies on major domestic routes, offering customers more choice of services throughout the day.

“We’re adding up to 20 additional weekly return services between Auckland and Wellington and up to seven additional weekly return services between Auckland and Christchurch and between Wellington and Christchurch in response to customer demand,” he said.

Additional services would also be offered between Australia and the popular holiday resort destination of Queenstown.

“Jetstar will offer four direct flights from Melbourne and up to three from Sydney to Queenstown to spur on inbound tourism to the region,” Mr Hall said.

This new schedule delivers 131,000 additional seats into Christchurch. However due to changing travel patterns, with customers now finding it easier to fly to Queenstown directly than via Christchurch, Jetstar will cancel its five weekly services between Christchurch and Queenstown.

Jetstar

Image: Flickr [Simon Sees]