Christchurch Welcomes Jetstar Boost

Christchurch Welcomes Jetstar Boost to Australian Arrivals

Christchurch & Canterbury Marketing (CCM) says the arrival of Jetstar’s new trans-Tasman service, announced today, offers a further boost for Christchurch as a top Australian visitor destination.

Low fares airline Jetstar is set to commence direct services to Christchurch from four major Australian destinations with launch flights commencing from 1 December 2005.

In announcing its first international operations, Jetstar will base two Airbus A320 aircraft in Christchurch to enable a highly competitive entry into the trans-Tasman market before the end of the year.

Jetstar will operate at minimum daily return trans-Tasman flights to Christchurch from Sydney (10 times weekly), Melbourne (9 times weekly) and per day to Brisbane (7 times weekly).

CCM Chief Executive, Ian Bougen said Jetstar’s entry into the trans-Tasman market once again showed strong Australian confidence in Christchurch and the South Island as a destination.

“Jetstar will help build on our region’s growing profile in the Australian market,” he said.

Mr Bougen said low fares help stimulate the leisure market but don’t necessarily mean low yield visitors to New Zealand.

“With more seats coming in to the South Island every week we are set to benefit in every way from this new market opportunity.”

For the first time Christchurch will be serviced by a new route from Coolangatta twice a week.

The creation by Jetstar of an aircraft base in Christchurch will mean up to 100 new jobs, another major benefit for Christchurch, Mr Bougen said.

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