Qantas' discount subsidiary Jetstar will expand its trans-Tasman operations to introduce new direct A320 services from Melbourne and Cairns to Auckland.

A daily Melbourne-Auckland service to commence on December 13, 2010. Jetstar will also operate a new international route for the Qantas Group with a future three times weekly Cairns-Auckland service to commence from April 12, 2011.

The new flights represent an additional 92,000 seats annually between Australia and NZ , and will collectively grow Jetstar’s trans Tasman capacity by over 20 per cent to 52 weekly return flights.

Jetstar has launched the trans Tasman routes with one-way sale fares to Auckland from $99 (Melbourne) and from $129 (Cairns) (JetSaver Light) at Jetstar.com.

Jetstar’s every day fares start from $169 Melbourne- Auckland and from $229 Cairns-Auckland (JetSaver Light) - up to 20 per cent lower than current competitors’ fares operating on the same routes.

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said the airline was committed to making travel between Australia and NZ more affordable and accessible.

“Jetstar’s value-for-money fares from Melbourne and Cairns to Auckland are backed up by our Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee* whereby we will beat our competitors by 10 per cent,” Buchanan said.

“Our low fares are combined with award-winning customer service, further strengthened by the launch of our Jetstar Customer Guarantee earlier this year in a first for the aviation industry in this region.

“Australia is the number one international destination for Kiwi travellers and by further growing our low fares offering across the Tasman we expect to further stimulate demand, for the benefit of the Queensland and Victorian tourism industries and local communities.”

In 2011, Jetstar’s trans Tasman network will expand to 10 routes including first-time international flights to NZ’s adventure centre of Queenstown from Melbourne and the Gold Coast from December 2010.

Jetstar’s Melbourne-Auckland schedule from 13 December 2010

Auckland-Melbourne Melbourne-Auckland

JQ210 06.20 – 08.15 (Thurs, Sun) JQ211 09.55 – 15.15 (Tues, Wed, Sat)

JQ210 07.20 – 09.15 (Tues, Wed, Sat) JQ213 11.55 – 17.15 (Thurs, Sun)

JQ214 21.00 – 22.55 (Mon, Fri) JQ215 23.40 – 05.00 (Mon, Fri)


Jetstar’s Auckland-Cairns schedule from 12 April 2011

Auckland-Cairns Cairns-Auckland

JQ290 18.30 – 22.10 (Tues, Wed, Sat) JQ291 22.50 – 05.20 (Tues, Wed, Sat)