Jetstar to start low fare Trans Tasman flights

All inclusive web only sale fares from AU$139 one way! All day, every day, low fares...

Airline Jetstar is set to commence direct services from Christchurch to 4 major Australian destinations with launch flights commencing from 1 December 2005.

In announcing its first international operations, Jetstar will base 2 Airbus A320 aircraft in Christchurch to enable a highly competitive entry into the Trans Tasman market before the end of the year.

Jetstar will operate a minimum daily return Trans Tasman flights to Sydney (10 times weekly), Melbourne (9 times weekly) and per day to Brisbane (7 times weekly). The low fares airline will also commence a new Trans Tasman route for the Qantas Group by introducing a 2 times weekly direct Gold Coast service, with flights from 3 December, further enhancing Jetstar’s large presence at one of Australia’s premier tourism gateways.

Jetstar’s commercial launch of Trans Tasman services includes a 39,000 Seat Sale, now open with all inclusive web fares at $139 at Jetstar.com. The sale will end at midnight Wednesday 10 August 2005, unless seats sell out prior. Sale fares on Jetstar’s new Christchurch services are for the travel period between 1 December 2005 and 30 June 2006. Sale fares are subject to availability.

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce said Jetstar was excited to take up the competitive challenge on the Trans Tasman after a strong Australian domestic launch since May 2004, which has seen over 5 ½ million customers already fly Jetstar to 17 existing destinations, over 50% of which have flown for under $100. Mr Joyce said Jetstar’s commencement onto some international markets was the next logical step in the carrier’s ongoing development and growth profile, without ignoring future market opportunities. “Jetstar’s strategic entry onto the Trans Tasman will focus on the delivery of low fare, customer friendly leisure services from Christchurch to major Australia destinations, growing the Qantas Group’s overall market presence,” Mr Joyce said. “Jetstar’s goal in Australia was to make every day air travel far more accessible to far more people. In little more than 12 months we believe we’ve done just that, and our approach will remain the same starting Trans Tasman flights.

“Jetstar will be a highly competitive brand on the Trans Tasman, launching with new aircraft, an appealing and innovative in-flight service featuring the first time introduction of preference seating at point of booking with Jetstar.com, passenger seat allocation and popular consumer products for sale. “These launch fares represent Jetstar’s commitment to being the low fares leader on the Trans Tasman. “Jetstar’s arrival on the Trans Tasman will increase weekly seat capacity for the Qantas Group by almost 1500 seats, but importantly better realign Group services to allow for Jetstar’s low fare entry. Jetstar will also offer more weekly flights from Melbourne, as well as new direct services from the Gold Coast.


Source: Jetstar.com

<small>[ August 07, 2005, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: Immigration Admin ]</small>