Jetstar goes regional

The Herald reports:

Jetstar plans to start flights to regional destinations later this year in what will be a major shake-up for domestic air travel.

The low cost carrier will use a fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turbo-prop aircraft to fly to at least four regional centres initially.

Those cities being considered include Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Napier and Palmerston North in the North Island and Nelson and Invercargill in the South Island.

The new flights will break Air New Zealand’s stranglehold on flying large aircraft to regional centres. Air New Zealand shares plunged by close to 10 per cent this morning after the Jetstar move into the regions was tipped by the Business Herald.

A good move by Jetstar. It will be very welcome by people in regional centres.