SI travellers to benefit from Jetstar expansion

26 July 2006

South Island travellers to benefit from Jetstar expansion

The South Island traveller is the clear winner following Jetstar's announcement today of new international long haul flights from Australia, gaining even more travel opportunities at low fares out of Christchurch.

Since their Christchurch launch in December 2005, Jetstar has dramatically altered the airline market in the South Island, with over 220,000 travellers having taken advantage of the airlines' low cost model.

Today, with the announcement of services connecting from Christchurch through Australia to Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Phuket, Bali and Osaka, Jetstar has considerably increased low cost travel options for South Islanders.

Christchurch International Airport Chief Executive, Rene Bakx, said Jetstar's initiative would further spread the strong impact the airline has already had.

"Jetstar's very successful entry into Christchurch, its first international destination, has brought substantial benefits to Christchurch and the South Island of New Zealand. With its new long-haul services between Australia and major tourism markets in the Asia/Pacific region Jetstar is poised to make a further substantial contribution to inbound tourism and provide additional choice for Kiwi travellers," Mr Bakx said.

Jetstar's trans-Tasman route has already confirmed Christchurch International Airport's position as the leader in developing the value based air travel market to New Zealand, and has been successful in capturing the Australian market for the South Island region, with a 12% increase in Australian arrivals to Christchurch in June 2006 compared with June 2005.

"We are pleased to see that the Jetstar product with lower fares, greater access and a powerful brand will now provide the people of our region with more opportunities to tap into the Asia Pacific holiday market", said Mr Bakx.

ENDS

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