Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Jetstar will commence 3 times weekly low fare services directly between Sydney and Hervey Bay – the gateway to world heritage listed Fraser Island - from Friday 29 July.

The every day low fares carrier will service the point to point route with its new fleet of 177 seat configured Airbus A320s, with Jetstar`s first flight timed to coincide with the opening of the upgraded Hervey Bay Airport precinct for jet operations on 29 July.

Jetstar has announced a special launch fare of $9 plus surcharges, fees and taxes of $39 for the triple weekly service, to be operated each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The every day low fares carrier`s Sydney-Hervey Bay sale is currently available at Jetstar.com and will end at 1800 EST (6pm) 10 May 2005 unless seats sell out prior. Sale fares will be available for travel on selected Jetstar flights between 29 July 2005 and 20 September 2005 .

(For full details see sale terms and conditions below and at Jetstar.com) .

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the decision to launch the carrier`s new domestic route with the A320, reflected the carrier`s confidence in the market and its potential for growth off the back of interstate and international visitors now obtaining direct jet access to Hervey Bay and nearby Fraser Island.

Mr Joyce said Jetstar`s arrival into Hervey Bay and nearby Fraser Island would inject 1050 weekly seats into the new domestic route by the low fares carrier.

“The Fraser Coast is one of Queensland`s most visited destinations for domestic travellers and the sixth largest for international tourists,” Mr Joyce said.

“When placing the clear appeal of Fraser Island to interstate and international visitors against growing tourism infrastructure and a fast growing population in the region, Jetstar`s confirmation it will fly direct to Hervey Bay is an exciting development for Queensland tourism.”

Mr Joyce said Jetstar would directly market the new route in cooperation with Hervey Bay Council and tourism authorities, to promote and raise awareness for the new unprecedented levels of direct air access to Hervey Bay and world heritage listed Fraser Island National Park.

“The A320 with its super comfy all leather seats is the leading aircraft in its class in technological advancement and passenger perception,” Mr Joyce said.

“Customers choosing to fly Jetstar on the route from 29 July will also have the choice to experience Jetstar`s new portable in-flight, video on demand entertainment system -– the digEplayer™ – featuring movies, TV sitcoms and music videos.”

Jetstar would be the first Australian domestic carrier to adopt the consumer friendly units in the local market. Jetstar passengers will be able to rent the digEplayer™ on the route from $10 per unit per flight.

Hervey Bay Mayor Cr. Ted Sorenson has welcomed Jetstar`s planned inaugural touch down on 29 July.

“We are delighted that Jetstar have decided to introduce its state of the art aircraft, the A320 from day one of Jetstar operations to Hervey Bay,” Councillor Sorenson said.

“The capacity and level of service this aircraft will bring each week with three direct services from Sydney will give our community a tourism boost we have never experienced before and we look forward to fostering this exciting future with Jetstar.”

Mr Joyce said the introduction of Jetstar services to Hervey Bay marked the low fares carrier`s 16 th destination and its first since the launch of operations to Adelaide in February 2005.

Sydney-Hervey Bay will become Jetstar`s 32nd point to point domestic route market, and its 11 th from its growing Sydney Airport operations.

Jetstar`s new triple weekly service will also require the creation of a number of customer service and ground handling positions at Hervey Bay Airport.

“It is part of Jetstar`s commitment to the travelling public that we will continue to capitalise on growth trends and respond to operating on markets where Australians want to travel by offering customers every day low fares,” Mr Joyce said.

“To enable more people to fly more often and to extend air travel to people who have previously never been able to afford to fly could have a real impact for future visitor numbers to both Hervey Bay and Fraser Island, given the current experience is for people to drive to access these destinations.”

Jetstar fares on Sydney-Hervey Bay will be advertised as all inclusive from 11 May 2005 in line with the Qantas Group`s new advertising style.

Jetstar Schedule for Sydney-Hervey Bay (Departure times shown)

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