Jetstar proposes withdrawal from regional flying in New Zealand

Jetstar Airways proposed (25-Sep-2019) to end its regional Q300 turboprop services in New Zealand at the end of Nov-2019. Jetstar Airways CEO Gareth Evans reported the proposal to withdraw regional operation was based on the operation continuing to be loss making combined with higher costs and a softening of the regional travel market. Jetstar Airways plans to suspend 130 weekly frequencies across five routes including Auckland to Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North and service between Nelson and Wellington. The carrier plans to continue up to 270 weekly domestic jet frequencies between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown and up to 100 international weekly on the Tasman and to Rarotonga. Alternative employment options would be available for all affected Jetstar regional employees. [more - original PR]