By James Wilkinson

Jetstar has commenced domestic New Zealand operations after taking over services from Qantas on several trunk routes.

Jetstar has commenced domestic NZ flights

The low-cost carrier commenced flying yesterday (Jun 10) from Auckland to Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown, and from Christchurch to Queenstown, using 177-seat Airbus A320 aircraft on the routes.

On June 24, Jetstar resumes Qantas Group operations between Christchurch and Wellington, while a number of new routes are expected to be announced in the near future, following yesterday’s announcement by Pacific Blue of increased trans-Tasman and domestic New Zealand flights.

Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan is confident of the airline’s success in the New Zealand domestic market and said one-way airfares would start from NZD$49.

“We believe we can have a real impact in the New Zealand domestic market given our already well established brand and operational presence on the highly competitive trans Tasman route,” he said.

Buchanan said he believed the airline’s price guarantee – which means when booking on Jetstar at a similar date and time the airline will beat any competitor by 10 per cent – would be a key to the airline’s success in the New Zealand domestic market.

“Jetstar will take a price leadership position in the domestic New Zealand market backed by our ‘price beat guarantee’ and offer an attractive value for money travel proposition,” he said.

All Jetstar services will carry Qantas flight numbers and Qantas Club lounge access will be for eligible customers travelling from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.