Massive Jetstar expansion

Jetstar to add four domestic A320s - and launches Fiji fares from $149

Jetstar has just confirmed a boost to its domestic Australian operations, with the addition of 77 new weekly services between Mar and Jul 2010.

Much of the expansion will occur from its Melbourne and Sydney gateways, with the new capacity representing the introduction of an additional four new Airbus A320 aircraft to the Jetstar fleet.

No new domestic destinations are being added, but frequencies are increasing on many leisure routes including Sydney-Gold Coast which will operate 11 times a day, Melbourne-Gold Coast 8 times a day, Sydney-Cairns which becomes double daily and Melbourne-Townsville which moves from the current three times a week operation to a daily service. Overall there will be 35 extra Gold Coast services from Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle; 18 additional Cairns flights from Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney; 14 extra services to Newcastle from the Gold Coast and Melbourne; and 10 extra Sunshine Coast flights a week from Sydney and Melbourne.

CEO Bruce Buchanan said the carrier was excited to be announcing one of its most significant growth spurts, with the move "in direct response to continued strong consumer demand for Jetstar's low fares."

He said the boost would see 700,000 new seats of capacity added, growing passenger numbers by almost 7% and seeing Jetstar's domestic market share grow to around 18% "maintaining Qantas Group market share at 65 per cent".

MEANWHILE Jetstar has also confirmed the commencement of its new services to Fiji which will debut on 29 Mar 2010.

JQ will operate four times weekly A320 flights between Sydney and Nadi, with introductory one way fares from $149, while Jetstar Holidays is also offering a range of special Fiji packages at prices claimed to be up to 20% less than existing competitor offerings. Every day fares to Nadi will lead in at $229 one way "well below competitors on the route offering lead-in fares of at least $289 one way," according to a statement from the carrier.

"We expect that Jetstar's low fares and holiday packages, combined with Fiji's great appeal and renowned hospitality, will present a compelling proposition for Australian holidaymakers," said ceo Bruce Buchanan.

The new Jetstar Fiji flights will depart Sydney each Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat at 8.55am arriving in Nadi at 4pm local time, while the return service will depart Nadi at 4.40pm and arrive in Australia at 6.40pm.

More details in today's Travel Daily.