Low fares leader Jetstar will strengthen and consolidate its network and value offering in the domestic NZ market with the announcement of 39 extra weekly services to be introduced between Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown from February 2011.

Jetstar’s positioning of two additional A320 aircraft in New Zealand by early 2011 will support further sustained growth of its low fare, hassle free services, building its domestic NZ market share steadily towards 20 per cent – a total of up to 116 weekly return flights.

Extra Auckland-Queenstown flying prior to Christmas will be followed by a greatly enhanced Jetstar schedule and low fares proposition across NZ’s largest domestic air markets from February 2011.

Jetstar has launched sale fares at Jetstar.com across Auckland-Christchurch, Christchurch-Wellington and Auckland-Wellington, with one-way JetSaver Light fares starting from $29.*

Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan and newly appointed Jetstar Australia / New Zealand CEO David Hall jointly announced in Auckland the new services representing more than 660,000 additional annual domestic low fare seats for the benefit of Kiwi customers.

Mr Buchanan said the new capacity demonstrated the airline’s commitment to delivering more low fare seats and frequencies, and strengthened the carrier’s position as the nation’s second largest airline.

“These new services build upon Jetstar’s growing competitive proposition on New Zealand’s high-traffic routes, providing a platform for future growth and new destinations,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Jetstar will deliver almost 20 per cent of the flying in domestic New Zealand with this growth, and through these affordable and convenient new frequencies on key city pairs, will allow even more Kiwis to fly more often.”

Mr Hall said Jetstar was firmly committed to offering Kiwi customers the lowest fares, more choice, an innovative product offering and the best in customer service.

“These new flights will be underpinned by more Jetstar jobs and include an additional aircraft based permanently in Christchurch as part of our ever-increasing presence in New Zealand,” Mr Hall said.

“Our newly expanded domestic and recently announced trans Tasman growth will offer timely support for New Zealand tourism and regional economies in particular following the recent earthquake in Christchurch and, in advance of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.”.

Jetstar’s low fares are combined with award-winning customer service, supported by the Jetstar Customer Guarantee.

Jetstar’s every day New Zealand domestic JetSaver Light fares start from $49 and are backed up by the Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee whereby Jetstar will beat its competitors by 10 per cent.