Jetstar launches Various Routes for CNS/CHC/MCY/AKL/DUD/HZL/SYD/OOL

[Saab34]

I assume the CHC flight will be operated by a Cairns based A321N. Hopefully not a red eye.

Jetstar will on Monday officially announce new routes between Cairns and Christchurch as well as a Sunshine Coast-Auckland service, with a 24-hour sales blitz to celebrate the launch.

The Sunshine Coast-Auckland route will fly three times a week starting in December, operating on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sunday, offering year-round connections across the ditch in Jetstar’s first international route out of the region.

Air New Zealand operates “seasonal” flights three times a week to Auckland between late June and October, but Jetstar will fill the void when that service stops for the year, as well as offering a lower price point.

Meanwhile, Jetstar has also committed to the first Cairns-Christchurch flights, which will start in April, running twice weekly initially before ramping up to three times a week.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/jetstar-heralds-new-qldnz-routes-with-fares-from-215/news-story/ceb6e1e10908bdec48dfc9f886e80698?amp&nk=eb67f3847214b632f251e1f5153f019e-1719148007#

 

[moa999]

Are these daytime flights or back of clock ops?

 

[Saab34]

Are these daytime flights or back of clock ops?

I have a feeling the Cairns flight will be a A321N red eye as they have one sitting overnight doing nothing. We will find out tomorrow I guess.

MCY-AKL would likely be operated by AKL based crew so likely daytime.

 

[Harrison_133]

CNS-CHC schedule is showing on Expert Flyer, but MCY-AKL isn't.

JQ135 CNS 2255 CHC 0550 32Q Tue, Thu, Sun
JQ136 CHC 0705 CNS 1040 32Q Mon, Wed, Fri

 

[Mwenenzi]

Would expect will be NZ based aircraft and NZ crew (cheaper than AU)
On NZ radio this morning JQ CEO Tully mentioned QLD govt and CHC airport for "support" Which to me means subsidy.
JQ newsroom-->

https://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-announces-major-expansion-in-new-zealand-as-it-celebrates-its-15th-birthday/

<snip>
To support the growth in flying, Jetstar will base an additional aircraft in Christchurch from December, bringing its New Zealand fleet to eight Airbus A320 aircraft. It’s the first time Jetstar has expanded its fleet in New Zealand in more than 10 years.
<snip>

“These will be the 33rd and 34th routes secured through the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

“The Fund is estimated to deliver more than 2.26 million inbound international seats and up to $1.95 billion in overnight visitor spend per year, supporting 22,700 Queensland jobs.”

Flight Schedule
Christchurch to Cairns*
From 1 April 2025

Flight	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ135	Tue, Thu	CNS	CHC	22:55	06:50#
JQ136	Wed, Fri	CHC	CNS	08:05#	10:40

#NZ daylight saving time

From 6 April 2025

Flight	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ135	Tue, Thu, Sun	CNS	CHC	22:55	05:50
JQ136	Mon, Wed, Fri	CHC	CNS	07:05	10:40

Auckland to Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)*

From 13 December 2024*

Flight	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ176	Tue, Fri, Sun	AKL	MCY	6:15	06:45
JQ175	Tue, Fri, Sun	MCY	AKL	08:00	14:10

Revised timings to improve connectivity to Jetstar long haul network

From 15 December 2024

Flight	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ172	Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun	CHC	MEL	9:15	11:05
JQ171	Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun	MEL	CHC	12:05	17:20

*Subject to government and regulatory approval.

 

[HS-TQE]

Would expect will be NZ based aircraft and NZ crew (cheaper than AU)
On NZ radio this morning JQ CEO Tully mentioned QLD govt and CHC airport for "support" Which to me means subsidy.

I wonder if an upcoming change of government (Based on the polls) would mean any potential new (L/NP) gov't will be gradually winding back if not eventually phasing out the AAIF.

Going by the CNS timings, I'd assume that flight is operated by CNS based crews. If for the AKL-MCY flights timing, probably likely those are operated by JQ-NZ crews.

 

[clifford]

Not sure how JQ could make money from these routes? Other than Kiwis looking for a bit of sun, but that doesn't seen very substantial?

Of course I really have no idea, but someone must have run the numbers...

 

[henrus]

Of course I really have no idea, but someone must have run the numbers...

Both ends are offering $$$. For the QLD end the state gov AAIF and for the NZ end the airports (CHC).

 

[BNEFlyer]

I wonder if an upcoming change of government (Based on the polls) would mean any potential new (L/NP) gov't will be gradually winding back if not eventually phasing out the AAIF.

Going by the CNS timings, I'd assume that flight is operated by CNS based crews. If for the AKL-MCY flights timing, probably likely those are operated by JQ-NZ crews.

That's very possible if there was an (unlikely) change in government in QLD. They're focus isn't tourism or supporting QLD businesses.

Post automatically merged: Jun 25, 2024

Not sure how JQ could make money from these routes? Other than Kiwis looking for a bit of sun, but that doesn't seen very substantial?

Of course I really have no idea, but someone must have run the numbers...

North QLD'ers wanting to go to NZ without going via BNE or SYD. Or the backpacker market looking to go to NZ after travelling up the east coast.

 

[k_sheep]

That's very possible if there was an (unlikely) change in government in QLD. They're focus isn't tourism or supporting QLD businesses.

Post automatically merged: Jun 25, 2024

North QLD'ers wanting to go to NZ without going via BNE or SYD. Or the backpacker market looking to go to NZ after travelling up the east coast.

But now Bonza is dead, there's no way to go north from MCY. So north QLDers would be better off going via BNE/SYD/MEL.

 

[jakeseven7]

Not sure how JQ could make money from these routes? Other than Kiwis looking for a bit of sun, but that doesn't seen very substantial?

Of course I really have no idea, but someone must have run the numbers...

Oh the Queensland taxpayers (myself included) will take care of the bill, don’t you worry about that, we love shelling out dollars for fits and giggles…

 

[Harrison_133]

CNS-MCY added too. Tickets on sale from $49.

From Tuesday 3 December 2024 to 12 December 2024:

Flight#	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ809	Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays	Cairns	Sunshine Coast	16:00	18:05
JQ808	Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays	Sunshine Coast	Cairns	18:45	21:05

From 15 December 2024 to 27 January 2025:

Flight#	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ809	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun	Cairns	Sunshine Coast	06:45	08:50
JQ808	Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun	Sunshine Coast	Cairns	09:25	11:45

From Thursday 30 January 2025:

Flight#	Frequency	From	To	Depart	Arrive
JQ809	Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays	Cairns	Sunshine Coast	16:00	18:05
JQ808	Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays	Sunshine Coast	Cairns	18:45	21:05

Source: https://newsroom.jetstar.com/jetstar-announces-new-flights-between-cairns-and-sunshine-coast/

 

[Saab34]

As discussed in the Bonza thread, was a route that would suit JQ well. Hopefully they can increase the frequency, used this route a few times, very handy.

MEL-MKY/ROK/BDB I’d still like to see seasonal also.

 

[k_sheep]

I flew this route regularly when Alliance ran it - very happy it's back!

 

[Harrison_133]

Expect more trans-Tasman route announcements from Jetstar very soon.

Hamilton, NZ has appeared as an option on the drop down menu on the booking page. It's rumoured they've been courting international service recently.

A few weeks ago, Dunedin Airport accidentally scheduled a premiere on YouTube for September 16, with a caption that read Jetstar were launching Gold Coast to Dunedin flights in June 2025. The page was swiftly removed.

 

[Harrison_133]

Three new routes across the ditch:

• Gold Coast - Dunedin: 3 flights per week from 24 June 2025
• Gold Coast - Hamilton: 3 flights per week from 18 June 2025
• Sydney - Hamilton: 4 flights per week from 16 June 2025

This marks the return of international services to both Dunedin and Hamilton.

Source: Stuff

 

[Mwenenzi]

JQ newsroom media release --> Jetstar to launch two new trans-Tasman routes from the Gold Coast with thousands more low fares

Monday, 16 September 2024: Jetstar will significantly expand its Gold Coast network, offering new direct flights to Hamilton and Dunedin in New Zealand from June 2025.

Both new services will take off three times a week, creating more than 115,000 new low fares seats every year across the Tasman and providing a multi-million-dollar boost to the Gold Coast’s tourism industry. It will be the first time Jetstar has flown to the city of Hamilton, giving Queenslanders a second gateway to the North Island and convenient access to holiday hot spots like Rotorua, the Bay of Plenty and Hobbiton.

The new service between the Gold Coast and Dunedin will boost access to the South Island’s second largest city and provide more options for people to road trip across New Zealand by flying into one part of the country and out of another on Jetstar’s network.

To support the new services, Jetstar will base an additional aircraft on the Gold Coast from June 2025 – bringing the airline’s local fleet to six. Today’s announcement follows the signing of a seven-year agreement between the Qantas Group and Queensland Airports, which will support future growth for both Jetstar and Qantas and lead to more flights and low fares for Queenslanders. In addition to the new services from the Gold Coast, Jetstar has also announced another new trans-Tasman route from Sydney to Hamilton, which will also take off from June 2025 and create more than 75,000 new low fares seats every year.
<snip>

Looks like a subsidy from the QLD govt. IIRC DUD with VA had a subsidy from the local government. Both HLZ & DUD would need to have dedicated new immigration and customs staff for these flights.

Some unsociable early morning departures
OOL HLZ 0620
SYD HLZ 0615. Slot constrained airport

 

[HS-TQE]

Not popping up on the Queensland AAIF website (yet), and the JQ press release refers to Queensland Airports (A Private Company that owns OOL and some of the regional airports in North and Central Queensland).

 

[Saab34]

I’d imagine the this is a deal between the airports, tourism bodies, and governments.

These routes would be thin, plus they are loaded with considerable taxes and charges, I would not be surprised if it’s more a deal like they have done with prior governments, ie the losses are covered.

Sounds like it’s more on the NZ side throwing in the incentives

 

[Harrison_133]

These routes would be thin, plus they are loaded with considerable taxes and charges, I would not be surprised if it’s more a deal like they have done with prior governments, ie the losses are covered.

Not to mention how many times these types of routes have been attempted over the years by the likes of Freedom/Air NZ or Pacific Blue/VA to no real success. The only route that ever seemed to stick pre-covid was BNE-DUD on VA.

The Hamilton routes are interesting, particularly because it will offer daily service across the two routes. For an airport that hasn't had international service since Virgin pulled out in 2012, I'm surprised Jetstar are going in with daily services from day one. It seems like the perfect market to test the waters with a lower frequency, then work towards a daily offering.

I won't be surprised to see some eventual consolidation on the Hamilton routes.