Moncrieff Media

Major tourism boost with Jetstar flying direct daily Auckland-Gold Coast

13 October 2008

New Jetstar daily direct flights between Auckland and the Gold Coast will provide a much needed boost to local tourism operators, Shadow Tourism Minister and local MP Steven Ciobo said.

“At a time when economic conditions are tough, news that Jetstar will commence daily services between Auckland and the Gold Coast from late April next year is terrific for local tourism businesses,” Mr Ciobo said.

“Auckland is New Zealand’s major gateway, and with a daily direct flight to the Gold Coast, it will provide a much needed boost to local tour operators, retail outlets, hotels, resorts, conference centres, restaurants and attractions.

“The direct flights between Auckland and the Gold Coast will be in addition to the existing Jetstar services between Christchurch and the Gold Coast, which have been popular.

“New Zealand is a leading international market for the Gold Coast, with some 221,000 people visiting our city annually, and now that Jetstar has expanded its services to Auckland, hopefully we’ll see visitor numbers increase even further.

“Economic conditions, plus Labor’s billion dollars of new tourism taxes mean some local tour operators are doing it tough. But, with additional flights to the Gold Coast, more passengers will be coming here, which can only mean more business for the tourism sector.

“Aviation access to the Gold Coast is crucial for our city, especially a key international market like New Zealand. The Gold Coast has long been a destination of choice for New Zealand travelers.

“The Gold Coast is seeing a real budget airline boom, with Jetstar, Virgin Blue, Tiger Airways and Air Asia X all operating out of the Gold Coast and providing strong competition to one another which is helping keep costs low for travelers.”

Jetstar Airways has also announced the introduction of daily direct flights between Sydney and Auckland.

All new services will commence 28 April 2009.