Summary

  • Airline competition is heating up in Australia and New Zealand, leading to more affordable airfares for passengers.
  • Jetstar is expanding its operations in New Zealand, adding more seats to key domestic routes and introducing new international services.
  • With additional aircraft and new routes, Jetstar aims to boost tourism and provide customers with more low-fare options for travel.

Commercial aviation’s recovery from the pandemic is usually measured by comparing the number of aircraft and seats an airline has returned to the market. For passengers who have endured years of high airfares, a better barometer is competition, and now that airlines are back at full capacity, it is amazing to see how quickly price competition is returning, particularly here in Australia and New Zealand.

A boost for Sunshine Coast Airport

Today, Air New Zealand announced that its seasonal flights between Auckland and Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Airport, the former home of low-cost carrier Bonza, will resume on Wednesday. Today was also the day Jetstar announced it is adding an extra Airbus A320 to its New Zealand operations and launching a new low-fare route between Auckland and the Sunshine Coast Airport, with special sale fares now on sale.

Sydney, Australia - November 7, 2023: Jetstar Airlines Airbus A320 arriving at Sydney Airport

Photo: A Periam Photography | Shutterstock

For Jetstar, a member of the Qantas Group, the route between Auckland and the Sunshine Coast is just a taste of what it has in store for travelers on both the trans-Tasman and New Zealand domestic markets. Internationally, the airline is also launching a new service between Christchurch and Cairns, linking the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef to the breathtaking scenery and snowfields of New Zealand’s South Island.

Commencing on December 13, 2024, the JQ176 service from Auckland Airport (AKL) will depart on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 06:15 and arrive at Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) at 06:45. The returning JQ175 departs MCY at 08:00 and arrives in Auckland at 14:10.

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The Cairns-Christchurch service starts on April 1, 2025, and will operate twice weekly. Flight JQ135 will depart Cairns Airport (CNS) at 22:55 on Tuesday and Thursday to arrive at Christchurch International Airport (CHC) at 06:50 the following day, departing on Wednesday and Friday at 08:05 to arrive in Cairns at 10:40, with New Zealand daylight saving changes from April 6.

The extra Airbus A320 is needed because Jetstar is significantly expanding its New Zealand operations by adding more than 240,000 new seats annually, boosting tourism on both sides of the Tasman. Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said the changes mark the biggest boost to Jetstar’s operations in New Zealand in more than a decade, adding:

“This month we’re celebrating our 15th birthday in New Zealand, and as we mark this milestone, we’re really excited to be entering such a significant period of growth. Having another aircraft based in Christchurch, as well as the launch of new flights and capacity, will help establish the city as a major gateway for Jetstar in New Zealand.”

Jetstar is increasing capacity on key domestic routes in New Zealand, commencing with the trunk routes between Christchurch and Auckland and Wellington and Auckland. Today’s news is only the start, as the low-cost carrier plans to significantly grow its domestic operations in New Zealand over the next twelve months.

Jetstar Airbus A320

Photo: Jetstar

With the addition of the extra aircraft in December, Jetstar will have eight A320-200s in New Zealand and it is the first time in more than ten years it has expanded the fleet. On that point, Tully added that the “expansion will help to unlock hundreds of thousands of low fares and more choice for our customers and provide a significant boost to tourism.”

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The airline also said it is adjusting its Christchurch to Melbourne Airport (MEL) flight times to improve connectivity to its long-haul international network. The changes take effect from December 15, 2024, with JQ172 departing Christchurch at 09:15 and arriving in Melbourne at 11:05, while the returning JQ171 leaves Melbourne at 12:05 to land in Christchurch at 17:20.

Those changes will bring more efficient connections from Christchurch to Jetstar flights between Melbourne and Asia, including Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket, Singapore and Bangkok, and enhance inbound tourism to the South Island. Jetstar has launched a 24-hour sale with one-way fares from the Sunshine Coast to Auckland starting at AU$215 ($140) and Cairns to Christchurch from AU$229 ($150), plus the usual extras.

Have you flown with Jetstar in New Zealand? Let us know in the comments.

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