New figures show the number of people choosing to fly on Jetstar’s domestic New Zealand network increased by 5 per cent during the 2011 financial year.

Jetstar Australia & New Zealand CEO David Hall said the low fares leader carried in excess of 1.23 million passengers between its four New Zealand ports in 2010/11.

“We’re really pleased to see more people taking advantage of our lower fares, which have made it easier to travel around New Zealand,” said Mr Hall.

“The fact we’ve been able to grow our presence in the New Zealand domestic market despite several natural disasters shows the underlying strength of our business.

“It’s a result we intend to build on by keeping our fares low, improving service and fine-tuning our schedules to match the needs and wants of the New Zealand market.”

The airline’s total share of the New Zealand domestic market, bolstered by the introduction of two additional A320 aircraft during 2010/11, is now 20 per cent just two years after start up.

The Jetstar Group as a whole – including its international and Australian domestic operations – carried almost 19 million passengers in 2010/11, an increase of 14 per cent on the previous year. Earnings before tax and interest were up 29% to a record AUD$169 million.

Without the disproportionate number of natural disasters that acutely affected operations, the Jetstar Group’s earnings would have been $85 million higher.

KEY FACTS – JETSTAR DOMESTIC NZ OPERATIONS IN 2010/11

• Carried 1.23 million passengers
• Flew a total of 960 million available seat kilometres
• Flight capacity an average of 80% full
• Added two A320s to existing NZ fleet (total of 8)
• Launched domestic flights to Dunedin, Jetstar’s 5th domestic port
• Launched NZ’s first low cost long-haul route (Auckland-Singapore) and 4 new trans-tasman routes.