Lift-off for Kiwi Jetstar flights from Cairns
JETSTAR estimates it will bring 20,000 extra tourists from New Zealand and boost the Far North's economy by up to $30 million with its new direct services between Cairns and Auckland next year.
The airline yesterday announced three weekly return Auckland flights, using 177-seat A320 aircraft, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 12 next year.
As predicted by The Cairns Post yesterday, it is the fourth international service announced by Jetstar, including the resumption of flights to western Japan.
Jetstar tipped for NZ direct flights
They add to twice weekly flights by Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue and after Jetstar starts next year there will more than 86,000 trans-Tasman seats available each year.
Jetstar commercial executive manager David Koczkar said Jetstar’s fares would be 20 per cent cheaper than its rivals, with launch tickets of $129 one way and regular fares of $229.
"We are very committed to the Cairns market," he said.
He said New Zealand was the airline’s fourth international destination from Cairns after Singapore (via Darwin), Tokyo and Osaka.
"Our international services have grown by 80 per cent since this time last year," Mr Koczkar said.
He said the airline believed the new flights would bring an extra 20,000 people from New Zealand and $20-$30 million to the economy each year.
"We wouldn’t be putting in the flights if we didn’t have a lot of
confidence in the long-term viability of the destination," Mr Koczkar said.
He said the airline, together with Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, would be spending millions of dollars
promoting the flights. Cairns Airport chief executive officer Stephen Gregg said the New Zealand market had been "underdone" up until now and there was a lot of potential to grow.
TTNQ chief executive officer Rob Giason said the flights were "a very valuable shot in the arm".
He said the 20,000 extra passengers each year would help TTNQ reach its target of 54,000 from New Zealand by the end of next year.
"New Zealand is one of our key strategic markets in the next 18 months," Mr Giason said.
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