Jetstar increasing number of NZ, Aust flights

Jetstar is selling limited $7 fares today to promote its new Wellington-to-Queenstown route in a bid to further breach Air New Zealand's hold on the domestic market.

The 90-minute sale starts at 9am for a route the bargain airline will begin flying on December 22.

From that date the airline will operate a daily Wellington-Queenstown flight, as well as twice-weekly Sydney-Queenstown flights.

The Sydney flights will replace Jetstar's existing Gold Coast-Queenstown service, which will cease on November 8.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive David Hall said the airline was "breaking the monopoly" on the Wellington route.

"As we keep expanding our network in New Zealand, and in fact right across the Asia-Pacific region, we see our low fares enable people to travel more often.

"Queenstown is one of the region's premier tourist spots and we're very pleased to be increasing domestic and international links as part of our overall commitment to the New Zealand market."

The addition of the Wellington flights will mean Queenstown will be able, from December, to offer daily nonstop services to the capital.

As well as the new connections, Jetstar will introduce an additional weekly Melbourne-Queenstown flight (to become three weekly), and two additional weekly Auckland-Queenstown flights (to become 11 weekly).

Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said the new Jetstar routes and additional services were very welcome news for Queenstown's visitor industry.

"Destination Queenstown has been actively marketing to Wellingtonians, Aucklanders and Sydneysiders, so these extra flights will make it even easier for visitors to access the resort and enjoy all the activities on offer."

Yesterday's announcement comes after news last week DQ had partnered with Tourism New Zealand and other South Island regional tourism organisations to create a $1.6 million campaign aimed at attracting Australians for a summer road trip.

In particular, DQ was keen to highlight Queenstown's "position as a leading gateway into the South Island".

When contacted by the Otago Daily Times, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce chairwoman Anne Lockhart said any additional flight capacity into the resort would be welcomed by the business community.

"The more people coming into the town, the better for the business; it's obviously building on the growth of tourism numbers coming into Queenstown and that's exciting for both the Eastern Seaboard of Australia and domestic travellers."

Cheap fares will be on sale today online, and will include Wellington-Queenstown from $39 and Sydney-Queenstown from $139, concluding at 11.59pm.

From 9am, $7 Wellington-Queenstown, and $99 Sydney-Queenstown fares will be available for a period of 90 minutes.

- Additional reporting Yvonne Tahana