Palmerston North has been tipped as a possible destination for Jetstar.
The airline announced yesterday plans to expand into regional destinations in New Zealand from later this year.
The services are expected to operate to at least four regional destinations initially, with some of those under consideration being Palmerston North, Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth and Napier in the North Island and Nelson and Invercargill in the South Island. These will connect with one or more of Jetstar's current domestic destinations.
Many people were disappointed when Air New Zealand announced it would cut several regional flight routes last year. The direct flight from Palmerston North to Nelson was one of the routes that was axed.
Palmerston North airport chief executive David Lanham welcomed the possibility of another airline service to the region.
"It would be great for our region to have another option of services."
Destination Manawatū chief executive Lance Bickford said introducing Jetstar services into Palmerston North would be a positive step for the local economy.
"It's going to help us reinforce the city as a great place to do business.
"We have got some really important industry sectors that operate out of this region... it's really important we have the best [airline] schedules.
"It reduces the barriers and reaffirms us as one of the key cities in New Zealand.
"We'd like to see competition here, we do support them coming here and we would like to be chosen please."
National List MP Jono Naylor said Palmerston North would be a "logical city" for Jetstar to choose as a destination.
"This will help develop our transport industry and ensure Palmerston North continues to be considered a transport hub.
"Regional New Zealand currently has one option for air travel and this announcement will see competition and therefore better value and services for air travellers."
The new services will be operated by a fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turbo-prop aircraft and are expected to create at least 100 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and ground crew.
Jetstar Group chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said the company wanted to bring competition and stimulate regional passenger growth.
"When we first started operations in New Zealand, domestic fares across the country dropped by around 40 per cent, and we expect fares will drop considerably on the regional routes where we'll operate."
Regional fares will go on sale in September with first flights taking off in early December.
Newcomer Kiwi Regional Airlines is also preparing to launch its services around New Zealand, including Nelson which it wants to use as its flying hub. It hopes to start flying at the end of this year or start of next year.
In February it announced plans for regular seven-day a week flights between Nelson and Queenstown, Palmerston North, Hamilton and Tauranga.
Its chief executive and director is Ewan Wilson, founder of the defunct budget airline Kiwi Air. He has said that rather than competing directly with Air New Zealand it planned to complement existing services, filling in the gaps.
Source: Manawatū Standard
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