• One-way JetSaver Light** sale fares to the ‘City of Sails’ from $99# at Jetstar.com

Low fares leader Jetstar will further expand its high value trans Tasman operations introducing new direct A320 services from Melbourne and Cairns to its fledging flying hub in Auckland.

Jetstar’s commitment to offering flyers hassle-free, low fares travel to New Zealand will support a future daily Melbourne-Auckland service to commence from 13 December 2010.

Jetstar will also operate a new international route for the Qantas Group with a future 3 times weekly Cairns-Auckland service to commence from 12 April 2011.

The new flights represent an additional 92,000 seats annually between Australia and NZ , and will collectively grow Jetstar’s trans Tasman capacity by over 20 percent to 52 weekly return flights.

Jetstar today launched the trans Tasman routes with one-way sale fares to Auckland from $99# (Melbourne) and from $129# (Cairns) (JetSaver Light) at Jetstar.com. (#Terms and Conditions apply).

Jetstar’s every day fares start from $169 Melbourne- Auckland and from $229 Cairns-Auckland (JetSaver Light) - up to 20 per cent lower than current competitors’ fares operating on the same routes.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan, who made the announcement at the Australia Pacific Aviation Outlook Summit 2010 in Sydney today, said the airline was committed to making travel between Australia and New Zealand even more affordable and accessible.

“Jetstar’s value-for-money fares from Melbourne and Cairns to Auckland are backed up by our Jetstar Price Beat Guarantee* whereby we will beat our competitors by 10 per cent,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Our low fares are combined with award-winning customer service, further strengthened by the launch of our Jetstar Customer Guarantee earlier this year in a first for the aviation industry in this region.

“Australia is the number one international destination for Kiwi travellers and by further growing our low fares offering across the Tasman we expect to further stimulate demand, for the benefit of the Queensland and Victorian tourism industries and local communities.”

In 2011, Jetstar’s trans Tasman network will expand to 10 routes including first-time international flights to NZ’s adventure centre of Queenstown from Melbourne and the Gold Coast from December 2010.

Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Chris Woodruff said: “With New Zealand travellers accounting for more than 20 per cent of Melbourne Airport’s total international traffic, this new direct A320 service will offer passengers even more flight options at great prices.”

Cairns Airport Pty Ltd Chief Executive Officer Stephen Gregg said: “This new route increases the airline’s international capacity into Cairns and reinforces their confidence in our city as an international destination, providing more travel opportunities for the local community.”