qantel
28th Jul 2010, 03:24
Jetstar tipped for NZ direct flights
Nick Dalton
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
© The Cairns Post
__________________________
FAR Northern tourism is in for a much-needed boost today with speculation Jetstar will join the direct flight market between Cairns and New Zealand.
Jetstar will hold a press conference this morning.
Yesterday, the company’s executives were tight-lipped about the expected announcement.
Tourism sources are widely anticipating this morning’s announcement, saying a New Zealand route will be a timely boost.
Jetstar commercial executive manager David Koczkar will make "a significant announcement in growth and new investment for Cairns tourism and travellers".
He will be joined by Cairns Airport chief executive officer Stephen Gregg and Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Rob Giason.
Corporate affairs head Simon Westaway said Jetstar would be announcing "a new international destination".
He said it was part of the airline’s "important partnership" with the airport and its "long- term pricing arrangement".
Mr Westaway said Jetstar was developing its Asian-Pacific hub based in Cairns and continuing its commitment to Cairns.
Mr Giason said he would not be making any comment until today’s media conference.
Jetstar would be the third airline to operate direct services between Cairns and Auckland.
Air New Zealand has operated regular flights for many years and earlier this year added an extra flight to boost services to four a week during the peak winter season until October 8.
Pacific Blue started Tuesday and Saturday services to Auckland in March, adding about 19,000 inbound seats annually to the trans-Tasman route into Cairns, increasing capacity by about 80 per cent. It is estimated the flights added $14 million a year to the region’s economy.
Late last year Jetstar reintroduced four direct weekly flights to western Japan which used to be operated by Qantas.
At the time Mr Westaway said flights to New Zealand were "a logical step".
The airline is also expected to be considering direct services to Singapore from Cairns.
Auckland International Airport, as the second largest shareholder in Cairns Airport, is understood to be factor in Jetstar’s decision to start New Zealand services.
Nick Dalton
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
© The Cairns Post
__________________________
FAR Northern tourism is in for a much-needed boost today with speculation Jetstar will join the direct flight market between Cairns and New Zealand.
Jetstar will hold a press conference this morning.
Yesterday, the company’s executives were tight-lipped about the expected announcement.
Tourism sources are widely anticipating this morning’s announcement, saying a New Zealand route will be a timely boost.
Jetstar commercial executive manager David Koczkar will make "a significant announcement in growth and new investment for Cairns tourism and travellers".
He will be joined by Cairns Airport chief executive officer Stephen Gregg and Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Rob Giason.
Corporate affairs head Simon Westaway said Jetstar would be announcing "a new international destination".
He said it was part of the airline’s "important partnership" with the airport and its "long- term pricing arrangement".
Mr Westaway said Jetstar was developing its Asian-Pacific hub based in Cairns and continuing its commitment to Cairns.
Mr Giason said he would not be making any comment until today’s media conference.
Jetstar would be the third airline to operate direct services between Cairns and Auckland.
Air New Zealand has operated regular flights for many years and earlier this year added an extra flight to boost services to four a week during the peak winter season until October 8.
Pacific Blue started Tuesday and Saturday services to Auckland in March, adding about 19,000 inbound seats annually to the trans-Tasman route into Cairns, increasing capacity by about 80 per cent. It is estimated the flights added $14 million a year to the region’s economy.
Late last year Jetstar reintroduced four direct weekly flights to western Japan which used to be operated by Qantas.
At the time Mr Westaway said flights to New Zealand were "a logical step".
The airline is also expected to be considering direct services to Singapore from Cairns.
Auckland International Airport, as the second largest shareholder in Cairns Airport, is understood to be factor in Jetstar’s decision to start New Zealand services.