Jetstar Builds a Kiwi Bridge to Asia and Japan

Christchurch
26 July 2006

Jetstar Builds a Kiwi Bridge to Asia and Japan With International Long-Haul Launch from Australia

Jetstar has enhanced low fare access from Asia and Japan for New Zealand travellers and international visitors to the South Island with its commercial launch of international long haul flights from Australia.

Planned to commence from 23 November 2006, the low fares carrier which now operates 28 return weekly services from Christchurch with a fleet of Airbus A320s, has announced amazing launch fares to popular international destinations including Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok and Phuket (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia) along with a daily direct service to Osaka (Japan) commencing 25 March 2007.

All connecting international flights will be operated initially with Airbus A330-200 aircraft offering two classes of service, and depart from Sydney or Melbourne, in addition to offering an inbound Osaka-Brisbane-Sydney service next year. Jetstar's also plans to offer direct services to Hawaii for future sale.

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce today announced that as part of the airline's rapid expansion of international flying, competitive 'sale' through fares for travellers to and from Christchurch would be offered for passengers when connecting over the trans Tasman to or from a Jetstar A320 to a long haul A330 international service.

Jetstar's special all inclusive sale fares are now available at Jetstar.com from Christchurch one stop via Sydney or Melbourne. These include:

Christchurch - Bali, from NZ$319 one way, NZ$498 return
Christchurch - Ho Chi Minh City, from NZ$349 one way, NZ$543 return
Christchurch - Bangkok, from NZ$379 one way, NZ$552 return

The sale will end at 2am Saturday 29 July 2006 (NZ time) unless sold out prior. Sale fares on Jetstar's new Christchurch services are for the travel period between 23 November 2006 and 30 June 2007. Sale fares are subject to availability and days of scheduled services. Further details at Jetstar.com.

Jetstar is also selling great value holiday packages to these destinations at Jetstar.com/holidays.

Subject to regulatory approval, Jetstar's A330-200 fleet will be seat configured for 303 passengers offering two classes of service, including StarClass, Jetstar's premium class. From this interim fleet, Jetstar will transition to a new fleet of 12 Boeing 787 'Dreamliners' commencing from late 2008.

Mr Joyce said these international markets were the first to be served from Australia under the Jetstar brand with wide bodied aircraft.

"Jetstar has offered an unprecedented opportunity for both the New Zealand tourism industry and New Zealanders themselves to directly access new international flights with full connectivity through Australia to Asia, Japan and very soon the Pacific," Mr Joyce said.

"Jetstar's low fare international services will offer full passenger and baggage connections between Jetstar international and Qantas international services to and from Australia, the choice of a premium class of travel priced around existing economy fare levels and a Qantas codeshare on all flights.

"Our New Zealand customers will also be able to book the Qantas codeshare flight numbers on Jetstar trans Tasman flights when combined with international on carriage from Australia. The codeshare is now open for fares purchased within New Zealand, in conjunction with another international oneworld sector, but will be for travel after 1 November 2006.

"Which ever way you look at it, there are undoubted opportunities that Jetstar's new international flights will create. With trans-Tasman prices at their competitive best, we believe Jetstar's extended offering will ensure we continue to have a significant impact on the New Zealand market."

Mr Joyce said Jetstar would continue to operate an aircraft base from Christchurch, comprising the 177 seat Airbus A320 supporting its highly competitive, single class Trans Tasman services. Jetstar now operates minimum daily return flights from Christchurch to Sydney (10 times weekly), Melbourne (9 times weekly) and per day to Brisbane (7 times weekly), plus 2 times weekly direct to the Gold Coast.

He said while South Island travellers would see the most direct benefit due to Jetstar's service out of Christchurch, opportunities existed for all New Zealanders with Qantas, Jetstar's owner, offering connectivity to Australia from several New Zealand ports.

"Jetstar's daily direct service from Osaka into Brisbane and Sydney next March is a major proactive step by the Qantas Group in working to restore growth in inbound Japanese visitation to Australia. Equally Japan is seen as an important target market for New Zealand tourism, which could leverage off the Jetstar service into Australia and then connect these tourists to a New Zealand bound flight", Mr Joyce said.

"Christchurch is one of Jetstar's strongest performing markets. Passenger numbers out of Christchurch are up 11% since our launch last December and we take great confidence from this to grow internationally."

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 travelers," Mr Bakx said.

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism Chief Executive, Ian Bougen, said Jetstar's new services would add more strength to the pull of New Zealand as a destination.

"Airline routes from Australia to Christchurch are vitally important both in terms of Australians holidaying in the South Island and also visitors from long-haul destinations such as Asia, connecting to Christchurch via the east coast of Australia. Jetstar's new long-haul services provide greater connectivity for visitors to our destination, offering increased choice and value for money," Mr Bougen said.

"Australians currently provide New Zealand with approximately 36% of all international arrivals. As more and more Australians are seeking out New Zealand for different reasons, during different seasons, Jetstar's continued commitment to our destination offers an excellent forecast for the future."

Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Peter Townsend, said Jetstar's new services would provide more openings for Canterbury and New Zealand businesses.

"The more robust we make those international networks, the better it will be for New Zealand in terms of business opportunities, travellers and also inbound tourism," Mr Townsend said. "It is important for New Zealand that there is demonstrable competition on international routes."

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Further Sale conditions:
Flights are subject to regulatory approval with sale fares subject to availability. They are not available on all flights or days. For Jet Saver bookings all amounts are non-refundable. Limited changes are permitted for a fee. See Jetstar.com for more details and conditions. Online bookings at Jetstar.com can be made via direct payment from the user's internet bank account. An additional $4 per passenger per flight will be applied to fares paid by credit card or charge card. $25 per passenger per flight will be charged for bookings through Jetstar Telephone Reservations on 0800 800 995.

ENDS

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