Australia’s low fares airline Jetstar has announced it will increase capacity on its daily Melbourne-Darwin, Darwin-Denpasar (Bali) and Cairns-Darwin-Singapore services.

Jetstar will use its larger Airbus A321 fleet which offers an increased seat capacity, replacing its existing 177 seat Airbus A320 aircraft operations between Cairns-Darwin-Singapore commencing from 10 June 2009 and on its Melbourne-Darwin and Darwin-Denpasar routes from 7 July 2009.

The announcement coincides with Jetstar celebrating the milestone of achieving one million passengers through Darwin Airport since commencing services to the city on 1 May 2006.

Jetstar’s Airbus A321s are seat configured in single class for up to 214 passengers, an increase of 37 seats against its A320 fleet.

The upgrade in Jetstar’s aircraft fleet operating on the three routes equates to more than 1000 additional domestic and international seats to and from Darwin each week.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the increase in capacity achieved through its larger narrow body aircraft was in direct response to anticipated future demand for these routes through the airline’s international flight hub in Darwin.

“Jetstar has cemented its reputation as the low fares leader on its near Asia flights from Australia,” Mr Buchanan said.

“We’re pleased to be introducing this increased capacity for the benefit of local Territorians and better support international connecting opportunities directly between Australia and Asia.

“We remain committed to maintaining our every day low fares on these important international routes through Darwin.”

Mr Buchanan said Jetstar continued to offer every day web fares (JetSaver Light) from $159 one way between Darwin-Melbourne, from $179 one way between Darwin-Singapore and from $209 one way between Darwin-Denpasar (Bali) at Jetstar.com.

“To demonstrate how serious we are in providing every day low fares to and from the Northern Territory, we continue to offer Jetstar’s Price Beat Guarantee on all domestic and international sectors we fly to and from Darwin,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Jetstar has established an aircraft and crew base in Darwin, with more than 100 locally based airport staff supporting our existing three Airbus A320 aircraft operations based in Darwin.”

“As the largest member of the Airbus A320 family, the A321 offers Jetstar a suite of benefits to meet the demands of a growing market and to maintain our low fares leadership position. This includes offering superior seat-kilometre costs of any single-aisle aircraft within its class.”

The introduction of first time A321 operations into Darwin will coincide with a revised southbound departure time between Singapore-Darwin due to an adjustment in crewing of the daily service.

Affected point of sale passengers are now being contacted by Jetstar for the minor timing change ex Singapore.

The new A321 flying schedule operating through Darwin will be published on Wednesday 3 June 2009.

Cairns-Darwin-Singapore schedule

Services operated by A321 from 10 June 2009

• Cairns – Darwin - JQ 57 12.45pm Daily
• Darwin – Singapore - JQ 57 16.10pm Daily
• Singapore – Darwin - JQ 58 20.25pm Daily
• Darwin - Cairns - JQ 58 05.05am (+1) Daily

Melbourne-Darwin schedule (Departure times shown)

Services operated by A321 from 7 July 2009

• Melbourne – Darwin - JQ 61 13.05pm Daily
• Darwin - Melbourne - JQ 62 07.50 am (+1) Daily

Darwin-Denpasar (Departure times shown)

Services operated by A321 from 7 July 2009

• Darwin – Bali - JQ 81 19.50 pm
• Bali – Darwin - Daily JQ 82 23.00 pm Daily