Jetstar is set to ramp up its presence in New Zealand, adding more than 660,000 new seats a year across domestic and trans-Tasman routes.
Jetstar said it would add “close to” 500,000 seats across five of its most popular domestic and trans-Tasman routes, and was adding two new services – one domestic and one to Australia.
Around 135,000 seats would be created with new daily flights from Hamilton to Christchurch, and 17,000 would be added with flights three times a week from Queenstown to Brisbane between June and October 2026.
To support the changes, it said an additional A320 aircraft would be based in Auckland, which would bring its fleet in Aotearoa to nine.
The budget airline said the changes would add more than 660,000 new seats a year. (Source: 1News)
The airline called the changes its “single-biggest expansion ever” of its New Zealand and trans-Tasman network.
It also noted increased services to Australia would allow many more one-stop routes for Kiwis visiting major cities in Asia.
Jetstar capacity increase:
- Auckland and Christchurch: increasing from up to eight daily to up to 11 daily (290,000 additional seats per year)
- Auckland and Brisbane: increasing from up to ten per week to twice daily (99,000 additional seats per year)
- Auckland and Sydney: increasing from up to eight per week to up to 12 per week (79,000 additional seats per year)
- Christchurch and Melbourne: increasing to daily year-round (26,000 additional seats per year)
- Auckland and Dunedin: increasing from seven per week to up to 10 per week (From 26 October – 17 May 2026. 24,000 additional seats per year.
Qantas, which is owned by the same parent company as Jetstar, said it would begin flying its A220 aircraft between Wellington and Brisbane up to three times per week.
The Australian national carrier is also set to increase its capacity between Christchurch and Sydney, with up to two additional flights per week during February and March, adding more than 5000 seats to the route.
Key airline announces record NZ expansion, will cheaper flights follow? – Watch on TVNZ+
Jetstar Group chief executive officer Stephanie Tully said the changes will ensure Kiwis have enhanced connectivity to Asia and beyond.
“These changes will give a much-needed boost to inbound tourism while offering Kiwis even more low-fares and choice in how they travel.”
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said: “These new services will strengthen airline connectivity for both tourism and business within New Zealand and on the Trans-Tasman routes.
“Improved aviation connectivity is an important component in our Tourism Growth Roadmap and I congratulate Jetstar and Qantas for making these connections happen.”
Air New Zealand recruits charter airline
Earlier today, Air New Zealand announced it would welcome back Spanish charter airline Wamos Air during peak summer travel, as it navigates “ongoing global engine supply challenges with Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney”.
Wamos Air would operate selected services between Auckland and Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Tokyo and Bali between October 30 2025 to April 30, 2026.
Air New Zealand said the Wamos-operated Airbus A330-300, which was previously flown by Virgin Atlantic, offers a cabin experience closely aligned with Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787-9.
Last month, Air New Zealand signalled passengers should expect a 5% increase for all airfares amid rising operating costs.
