Low fares leader Jetstar has unveiled plans to further expand its New Zealand operations, announcing an additional Airbus A320 aircraft to enter service later this year, and actively review value based long haul flying in a first for this market.

Jetstar presently flies six A320s in New Zealand, evenly split between its fledging domestic low fare operations and multiple daily trans Tasman services from Christchurch and Auckland.

Later this year, Jetstar will base a 7th A320 aircraft in New Zealand with the flexibility to operate on domestic or international routes from its existing NZ ports.

A 7th positioned A320 will create around 50 new airline jobs for Jetstar’s NZ operations in Pilot, Cabin Crew, Engineering and Airport Customer Services areas, growing to beyond 300 jobs.

In addition, Jetstar is currently considering deployment of two-class A330-200 aircraft to support the launch of first time value based long haul Jetstar international services to New Zealand.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said the airline planned for the development of a number of new markets with these aircraft and would be progressively unveiling the additional services over the next six weeks.

“Jetstar now has a pathway towards future strategic growth in New Zealand through our ongoing success and strong customer demand for our low fare services,” Mr Buchanan said.

“With a well established brand, strong and efficient on-time operations, a partnership in growth with major New Zealand airports and a great Kiwi workforce, Jetstar is well advanced to deliver this next round of sustainable low fares flight expansion.”

During a visit to New Zealand supporting its first anniversary of low fare domestic New Zealand services (on 10 June), Mr Buchanan said the airline would further expand both its operations in New Zealand.

Jetstar operates a single class A320 family fleet ranging from 177 seat aircraft. Its A330-200 fleet, of now 7 aircraft, will grow to 9 by early 2011, and is configured for 303 passengers including Jetstar’s international business class product, StarClass.

As New Zealand’s second largest domestic airline, Jetstar now operates up to 84 weekly return frequencies linking Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. An existing 38 weekly return Jetstar trans Tasman A320 services operate across six routes linking Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.