Auckland International Airport Ltd says a new service from Auckland to Singapore by low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways is significant because it extends the low-cost carrier model to longer haul destinations.
The Qantas Airways Ltd-owned Jetstar will begin Auckland to Singapore flights from March 17 next year, the airline said in a statement today.
Jetstar will base two wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft in Singapore. They are configured to carry 303 passengers in a two-class cabin.
"Connecting our three largest operations in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore strengthens each of these businesses and builds a solid foundation for future growth beyond Singapore to North Asia and Europe," Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan said.
Auckland Airport chief executive Simon Moutter said the new Jetstar services would support major New Zealand tourism initiatives, including the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"Today's announcement of new daily services between Auckland and the rapidly expanding Jetstar hub in Singapore is a significant step towards achieving greater connectivity and reach between the fast growing Asian markets and New Zealand," he said.
The new services offered a new Qantas Group international route from New Zealand through Singapore to multiple Asian and European destinations.
"The low-cost carrier model is now being successfully applied to longer haul destinations," he said.
