Jetstar is massively expanding its Brisbane operations, launching half a million new low-fare seats per year between Brisbane Airport and several international destinations.
The airline will shift its Tokyo (Narita) service from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, along with commencing new direct flights from Brisbane to Osaka and Seoul (Incheon) and upping the frequency of its existing flights to Bali and Auckland.
From late October, Jetstar will operate five return flights per week between Brisbane and Tokyo, increasing to a daily service in December, as well as increasing its Brisbane-Auckland service to a daily schedule.
Additionally, starting in February, Jetstar will fly four return services per week to Osaka and three to Seoul, as well as increasing its Denpasar flights to 10 return services per week. The airline is also introducing the Airbus A321neo LR (NEO) on its Bali and Auckland routes.
According to Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff, the Jetstar deal is the biggest injection of low-fare seats Brisbane has ever seen.
“We look forward to welcoming more travellers from New Zealand, Japan and Seoul enabling them to get out and explore our region and State,” he said.
“We are also excited to see Jetstar deploying the new quieter and fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo on these new BNE flights.
“Brisbane Airport is committed to reducing the noise impact for our nearby communities and we know that next generation aircraft are an important part of this solution.”
Steph Tully, CEO of Jetstar, thanked the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport for their support through the state’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF).
“The new partnership with Brisbane Airport has unlocked about half a million new seats between Brisbane and some of the most popular international destinations on our network,” she said.
“Jetstar has a strong track record of stimulating travel through great value fares and this major boost to international flying for Queensland will bring thousands more tourists into the sunshine state from Japan, South Korea and across the Tasman.”
Jetstar last month brought its seventh A321neo into service. According to Jetstar, the NEOs deliver 99.8 per cent mechanical reliability, are 50 per cent quieter than similar size Airbus A320/A321s, and burn up to 20 per cent less fuel. Jetstar will receive another 11 A321neo LR aircraft by the end of 2024, bringing its total NEO fleet to 18.
