By James Wilkinson

Low-cost airline Jetstar has announced new flights to Auckland from Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Daily direct Airbus A320 flights will commence on April 28, 2009, with every day one-way fares from $229.

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said the expansion on the trans-Tasman route was the next logical next step in developing Jetstar’s New Zealand operations following the success of flights to and from Christchurch.

Sydney to Auckland is one of the most challenging routes in the world and will also see Airbus A380 flights from Emirates in the first quarter of 2009. Jetstar’s announcement comes just a day before Pacific Blue commences nine weekly

Sydney-Auckland flights using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.