Australia’s low fares airline Jetstar has today celebrated the commencement of direct daily services from Auckland to Sydney and the Gold Coast, reasserting its commitment to offer more choice and the lowest fares of any airline operating on the competitive trans Tasman route.

Jetstar now offers two daily international direct A320 services from Auckland to the Gold Coast and Sydney, introducing the opportunity for more Australians and New Zealanders to take an affordable holiday close to home.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said with every day one-way JetSaver Light fares from AUD169/NZD159, Jetstar would make travel across the Tasman even more convenient and accessible.

“Jetstar’s new services to Auckland from Sydney and the Gold Coast represent incremental Qantas Group flying on the competitive trans Tasman route,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Our new services mark an increase in Jetstar capacity across the Tasman to a total of 42 services each week from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast to either Christchurch or Auckland.”

Queensland Minister for Tourism Peter Lawlor and Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Paul Donovan, together with a number of Jetstar Gold Coast Titans players, today farewelled passengers checking in for the inaugural flight from Gold Coast Airport.

Mr Buchanan said Jetstar now offers a total of 23 weekly international services from its expanding Gold Coast hub.

“These new services have the potential to bring an additional 64,000 New Zealand holiday makers into both Sydney and the Gold Coast each year and through our low fares leadership, we look forward to continuing to providing people with the opportunity to fly more often.

“As Jetstar nears its fifth birthday next month, we’re delighted that Jetstar is continuing to grow its services for the benefit of local tourism industries, and consumers, from our Sydney and Gold Coast hubs,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Jetstar offers a simple, affordable and convenient way to fly between Auckland and Australia. We’re committed to offering more choice, and the lowest fares across the Tasman, a promise which is backed by our Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee.

“In the current economic conditions, many Australians and New Zealanders are still seeking to holiday overseas this year, but are aiming to travel closer to home. Our increased New Zealand services offer the ideal opportunity for this, with one-way web fares previously from as low as NZD99.

“More than one million New Zealanders visited Australia last year, and a similar number of Australians visited New Zealand. Trans Tasman travel is essential for each of our nations’ tourism industries, and we look forward to continuing to being a key player to continue to grow these markets.”

Jetstar’s trans Tasman inflight product, utilising its fleet of new A320 aircraft, will include choice of portable video on demand units for hire offering latest movie releases, TV programs and audio tracks, and a range of hot food, snacks and beverages, including alcoholic drinks, available for purchase.

Jetstar is an award-winning airline, most recently being announced the Best Low Cost Airline Australasia in the 2009 SkyTrax Airline Awards.

NSW Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay said the new service confirmed Jetstar's ongoing confidence in Sydney's appeal as a premier tourism destination.

"New Zealand is the second largest market for international visitors to the State. More than 360,500 New Zealand visitors spent 3.3 million nights in NSW last year, injecting $369 million into the State's economy.

"The new Auckland to Sydney services mark another major step for the ongoing partnership between Jetstar and Tourism NSW which is providing a vital boost for tourism operators and jobs in the State.

Queensland Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said the Gold Coast had also long been a favorite holiday destination for New Zealanders.

“New Zealand remains the state’s number one international tourism market and these new services will only help grow the already strong numbers hopping across the Tasman for the perfect holiday break,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Tourism Queensland will also be working to encourage these new visitors to extend their Gold Coast stay and explore other wonderful Queensland tourism destinations.”

Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Paul Donovan said the new daily services would significantly boost the local tourism industry’s confidence in international tourism to the region, in light of current economic pressures.

“ The commencement of these services will not only mean a healthy increase in inbound tourist numbers to the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers regions, but will also provide locals with an affordable, international travel option,” Mr Donovan said.

“New Zealand remains a key inbound market for the Gold Coast and we expect this service will help drive more visitors from New Zealand to this region for both leisure and business travel.”

Jetstar’s every day one-way, all inclusive JetSaver Light fares at Jetstar.com from the Gold Coast and Sydney to Auckland start from AUD169AUD / NZD159.

Jetstar’s new Auckland – Gold Coast schedule (Departure times)

• Auckland – Gold Coast - JQ241 - 1600 - Daily
• Gold Coast – Auckland - JQ 240 - 1830 - Daily

Jetstar’s new Auckland – Sydney schedule (Departure times)

• Auckland – Sydney - JQ200 - 0750 - Daily
• Sydney - Auckland - JQ201 - 1000 - Daily