They have already done it with hawaii and Japan, why not take some more cream off the top and cry they are losing international market share
They have advertised for 36 commands and need 261 pilots on the next 9 months so I wouldn't be surprised if this rumor was true. Just look at the slow march into Queenstown by Jetstar. As soon as they get their RNP 0.1 I reckon all the Tasman flying to queenstown will FO to Jetstar. That's another very profitable route they have set up in direct competition to their own business. Go figure.