Flights have started on a new year-round service across the ditch.
Jetstar passengers travelled between Auckland and the Sunshine Coast on Friday, to mark the start of the only ongoing service between the two cities.
The new regular route is expected to boost the tourism economies on both sides of the Tasman.
With up to three flights per week each way on the airline’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, the route will add almost 60,000 low fare seats for travellers every year.
It’s the first time Jetstar will operate an international service from the Sunshine Coast and the new route follows the launch of flights between Cairns and Maroochydore on December 4.
Jetstar’s executive manager, customer, Jenn Armor said the airline was excited to be growing its network from the Sunshine Coast.
“The Sunshine Coast is one of Jetstar’s most popular destinations and it’s great to be launching these new routes and bringing more people to this beautiful part of the world,” she said.
“The new service will not only benefit tourists, but it will also help connect the Sunshine Coast’s large population of Kiwi ex-pats with their home country.
“We thank the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Airport for their commitment to low fares travel.”
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Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills, seen in the video at the top of this story, was delighted to welcome the new service.
“Jetstar linking the Sunshine Coast and Auckland year-round is a significant milestone for our community,” he said.
“We are already seeing strong passenger demand on future services helping grow both tourism and local business here on the Coast.
“New Zealand visitors are an essential part of our tourism economy.
“We’re excited to now offer them year-round services to access everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
“This route not only opens doors for Kiwi travellers but also provides Sunshine Coast locals with more affordable and direct access to Auckland and onwards to New Zealand’s many tourism destinations.
“I want to thank Jetstar, the Queensland Government and our tourism partners for helping make today possible.”
Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said the route enables better access between the Sunshine Coast and Auckland, which would significantly benefit the region.
“These regular flights, supported through the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, are expected to create more than 29,000 new inbound seats each year to the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“Queensland welcomes the most visitors from New Zealand than any other country in the world, so we are proud to prioritise making this travel as easy and direct as possible.
“Our Kiwi neighbours can now get from the tarmac to the beaches quicker than ever, whether staying in Maroochydore or Noosa.
“Our 20-year tourism plan focuses on improving our accessibility and connectivity to the rest of the world, and this is a great example of this in action.”
Auckland to Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore) schedule
JQ176: Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from Auckland to Maroochydore, departing at 6.15am.
JQ175: Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from Maroochydore to Auckland, departing at 8am.
