Jetstar spreads its wings in New Zealand

• Jetstar grows New Zealand based fleet to nine aircraft and adds over 50 new jobs
• Services between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch grow by 600,000 seats annually
• Direct services from Queenstown to Sydney and Melbourne increased

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."

To mark the introduction of the ninth aircraft, special Kiwi Sale fares* are available across all domestic routes in New Zealand from 10am today until 8pm tonight, unless sold out prior.?

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.?

"These changes affirm our commitment to New Zealand and will contribute significantly to the country's tourism industry, providing economic benefits as well as contributing strong job growth. Today Jetstar holds 20 per cent of the domestic flying market and employs more than 500 Kiwi team members."

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 will also reduce services between Christchurch and the Gold Coast and Melbourne by one flight per week, continuing to provide three services a week and daily flights respectively.

SUMMARY OF INCREASED CAPACITY - FROM 15 NOVEMBER 2012

Route New Frequency Economy starter fare ($NZD)

Auckland ⇔ Wellington Up to 60 return flights per week (increase of 50 per cent or + 20 flights pw) From $45
Auckland ⇔ Christchurch Up to 43 return flights per week (increase of 19 per cent or + 7 flights pw) From $55
Wellington ⇔ Christchurch ?

Up to 21 return flights per week (increase of 50 per cent or + 7 flights pw) From $45
Melbourne ⇔ Queenstown Up to 4 return flights per week (increase of 33 per cent or + 1 flight pw) From $259
Sydney ⇔ Queenstown Up to 3 per week (increase of 50 per cent or + 1 flight pw) From $259
Melbourne ⇔ Christchurch 7 per week (decrease of? 12 per cent or -1 flight pw) From $169
Gold Coast ⇔ Christchurch 3 per week (decrease of 25 per cent or - 1 flight pw) From $169
Queenstown ⇔ Christchurch Market exit of 5 flights pw

KIWI SALE?FARE?PRICES*

Route (one-way) Economy starter fare ($NZD) Sale fare ($NZD)

Auckland ⇔ Christchurch From $55 $45
Auckland ⇔ Dunedin From $75 $59
Auckland ⇔ Wellington From $45 $35
Auckland ⇔ Queenstown From $75 $59
Christchurch?⇔ Wellington From $45 $35
Wellington ⇔ Queenstown From $65 $49

*Jetstar's Kiwi Sale?starts at 10am on Wednesday 19 September. Sale fares are one-way, web only, checked baggage not included. On sale until 8pm (19.59) - NZST Wednesday 19 September 2012, unless sold out prior. Not available all flights and days. Conditions apply.

Sale fares are for travel between 15 November 2012 and 12 December 2012 and 16 January 2013 and 20 March 2013 except Auckland - Dunedin sale fares which are for travel between 15 November and 5 December 2012 and 16 January 2013 and 20 March 2013.?