Jetstar has announced new services from Auckland to New Plymouth and Palmerston North, and Nelson to Wellington.
The three routes are an expansion of the airline’s new regional network, which has delivered strong passenger growth in Nelson and Napier since launching in December last year.
Overall passenger numbers through Nelson Airport rose 18% in December compared with the same month the previous year, with traffic on the Nelson-Auckland route jumping 33%. Hawkes Bay Airport had a record December with passenger numbers increasing 14% compared with December 2014.
David Hall, Jetstar CEO Australia and New Zealand, said passenger loads on the new regional services were above 90 percent in December and January. Increase in passenger numbers at Nelson and Hawke’s Bay airports were a great example of how Jetstar’s low fares stimulate markets.
Mr Hall said Jetstar’s new network was helping to boost tourism in both Nelson and Napier:
“Tourism operators in both regions have reported having a very busy summer and have noted the Jetstar effect in bringing more travellers to their region.”
New Plymouth Airport has added a temporary Jetstar terminal building to support the launch of the new services and Palmerston North Airport has also made changes to accommodate increased traffic.
Jetstar has five 50-seat Bombardier Q300s based in New Zealand for its regional operation. The services are operated by Qantas-owned Eastern Australia Airlines, which has operated Q300 aircraft in Australia for QantasLink for over 15 years.
The regional expansion has created over 150 new jobs around the country for pilots, cabin crew, ground crew and support staff.