Jetstar announces new routes in its single biggest expansion of NZ and trans-Tasman network
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Jetstar announces new daily Hamilton to Christchurch and seasonal Brisbane to Queenstown routes.
The expansion includes over 660,000 new domestic and trans-Tasman seats annually.
Jetstar will base another A320 aircraft in Auckland, bringing New Zealand fleet to nine.
Jetstar is announcing two new routes as part of its single-biggest expansion ever of its New Zealand and trans-Tasman network.
The low-cost carrier will fly daily between Hamilton to Christchurch, creating more than 135,000 seats a year from December 1, 2025.
Flights will arrive in Hamilton at 9.25am and depart for Christchurch at 10am.
The new service will deliver 186 extra seats each way, every day, and lift the airport’s total passenger count to more than half a million travellers each year.
Jetstar has never operated a domestic route out of Hamilton and now its jets will be in direct competition with Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand will start flying A320 jets on the route on September 18, bringing domestic jets back to Hamilton for the first time in 25 years.
Hamilton Airport acting chief executive Ben Langley said both services will fuel regional growth.
“The addition of the Jetstar and Air NZ domestic jet flights boosts passenger numbers coming through the airport by around 60%. That’s massive. More flights mean more jobs, more visitors, and faster connections for business. It’s a big vote of confidence in our region and in our airport,” he said.
Jetstar will also fly from Brisbane to Queenstown three times a week from June to October starting in 2026. The seasonal service will provide more than 17,000 seats across the Tasman.
Capacity has also been boosted on five existing routes – creating more than 660,000 new seats a year:
Auckland and Christchurch: increasing from up to eight daily to up to 11 daily.
Auckland and Dunedin: increasing from seven per week to up to 10 per week (From October 26 – May 17, 2026).
Auckland and Brisbane: increasing from up to 10 per week to twice daily.
Auckland and Sydney: increasing from up to eight per week to up to 12 per week.
Christchurch and Melbourne: increasing to daily year-round.
Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport chief customer officer, said the added flights on popular routes, particularly at busy times of the day, were a great development for travellers and the local tourism industry.
“This is fantastic news and a real vote of confidence in New Zealand’s travel market. More seats mean more choice, better schedules for business and leisure flyers, and stronger connections across New Zealand, Australia and into Asia. Jetstar’s investment, including basing another aircraft here, strengthens Auckland Airport’s role as the hub for Jetstar’s growth.”
In June, the low-cost carrier launched flights to Sydney and Gold Coast from Hamilton and to the Gold Coast from Dunedin. Christchurch to Cairns flights were launched in April.
From November 16, Jetstar will bring forward the departure of its Christchurch to Cairns flights to 7am to allow for connections onto Tokyo (Narita).
Its Auckland to Wellington flights have also been rescheduled to a 7.30am departure.
Jetstar will base an additional A320 aircraft in Auckland, bringing its Aotearoa-based fleet to nine aircraft.
Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said these changes will lift Jetstar’s total NZ domestic capacity by 18% and 14% across the Tasman.
“We know how vital air travel is for connecting Kiwi families, friends, holidaymakers and business travellers.
“With more seats on our trans-Tasman network than ever before, with one stop in Australia, Kiwis will have enhanced connectivity to Asia and beyond,” she said.
Double daily services from Auckland to Brisbane will allow for connections to Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Phuket and Cebu.
Extra flights from Christchurch to Melbourne will unlock more opportunities for Kiwis to visit Singapore, Bangkok, Bali, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City with one stop in Australia.
“We’re working closely with the New Zealand Government to manage rising costs in the market and thank them for their commitment to ensuring sustainable growth for air travel to and within New Zealand - providing more choice for customers,” Tully said.
Meanwhile, Qantas is also increasing capacity on its services between Christchurch and Sydney, with up to two additional flights per week during February and March, adding over 5000 seats to the route.
Justin Watson, chief executive of Christchurch Airport says more seats mean more choice.
“It’s about making it easier for people to connect, whether that’s heading north for business, catching up with family, or starting an overseas adventure. We’re stoked to see Jetstar building on our strong partnership with this growth.”
The Australian national carrier will also begin flying its state-of-the-art A220 aircraft on Wellington-Brisbane flights up to three times per week from February, marking the first time the aircraft will fly an international route.
The aircraft features 137 seats, including 10 in business class, set in a more spacious interior with larger windows, 20% more overhead locker space and Wi-Fi.
The first flight will arrive in Wellington on February 6 next year and be phased in over the subsequent months to eventually fully replace the existing Boeing 737-800.