Jetstar Airways commences three new routes

On 30 March, Wellington Airport welcomed Jetstar Airways’ four weekly flights from Melbourne with a suitcase-shaped cake. Getting ready to cut the cake’s first slice are: Grant Kerr, Head of New Zealand, Jetstar; and Matt Clarke, CCO, Wellington Airport.

• Jetstar Airways introduced three new routes, all of which are flown utilising its 180-seat A320s. On 29 March, the Australian LCC, commenced services from Cairns (CNS) to Denpasar (DPS) and from Gold Coast (OOL) to Perth (PER) with thrice-weekly and six times weekly departures respectively. On both routes, Jetstar will face no direct competition from any other operator. Moreover, on 30 March, the airline commenced four weekly flights on the 2,588-kilometre sector from Melbourne (MEL) to Wellington (WLG), a route already flown by Air New Zealand and Qantas, both with daily departures. Commenting on the New Zealand route, Steve Sanderson, CEO, Wellington Airport, said: “Melbourne is Wellington’s fastest growing and now most competitive route. It has extensive onward connections throughout Australia, Asia and Europe. The stronger link with Melbourne’s four million residents and two cities renowned for their events will be great for travellers. The market between Wellington and Melbourne has been growing at 6% per annum over the last eight years. The new service will add 75,000 seats to Wellington’s international market.”