Jetstar has today doubled capacity on its existing direct connection between Newcastle and Brisbane, launching value for money double daily return flights between both cities right on the eve of Christmas.

Jetstar's 300,000 seat sale, launched late last week at Jetstar.com, currently offers one way online prices on the Newcastle-Brisbane route starting from $19 plus surcharges, fees and taxes of $30.

Jetstar's online sale at www.Jetstar.com will close on midday 29 December 2004 unless seats sell out prior. Sale fares will be available for travel on selected Jetstar flights between 18 January 2005 and 31 May 2005.

Jetstar's sale now applies across Jetstar's route network and included selected flights on the carrier's existing 2 times daily return Newcastle-Melbourne service.

From 31 October, Jetstar moved to a double daily return service between Newcastle and Melbourne, and the twice daily point to point connection directly linking the Hunter Region and Brisbane caps a dynamic year of passenger and flight growth at Newcastle Airport.

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the pre-Christmas offer of a new double daily and direct Newcastle-Brisbane service was a true reward for the spectacular rise in consumer support for affordable air services to and from the Hunter.

Mr Joyce said recent Federal Department of Transport aviation data had revealed that the Newcastle-Brisbane city pair was one of the nation's fastest growing air markets.

Yet year to date to the end of October 2004, passengers travelled on the Newcastle-Brisbane city pair had broken through the 150,000 passenger barrier, representing rapid growth of 200 per cent against the October 2003 year to date figure.

Mr Joyce said the Newcastle-Melbourne city pair had achieved an even greater growth in passengers traveled year on year for the month of October, up 257 per cent with almost 170,000 travellers.

"There is an evolution taking place in the Hunter and that is what's occurring at the Region's aviation gateway - Newcastle Airport," Mr Joyce said.

"With the arrival of Jetstar onto domestic markets since 25 May, our carrier's performance on our Newcastle inbound and departing daily flights has been one of the unheralded success stories of our entry into the domestic market.

"Jetstar's operating performance at Newcastle Airport to date is clearly underpinning the sustained and continued growth in air traffic numbers for the Hunter Region."

Mr Joyce said the enhanced ability of both residents of the greater Hunter and Central Coast regions, along with those across South East Queensland to directly access each city by highly affordable air travel.

"Taking our Jetstar services to a double daily direct connection on the Newcastle-Melbourne route we believe will be a fillip and a further welcome stimulant to attracting greater numbers of both business and leisure travellers into and out of the Hunter Region," Mr Joyce said.

Jetstar today also launched its 29th and newest air route - a daily direct Launceston-Brisbane service.

Jetstar Newcastle Schedule as at 20 December 2004

Newcastle - Brisbane                      Brisbane - Newcastle

10.15 am    Daily *NEW*                   07:35 am    Daily   *NEW*

13:35 pm    Daily                         14:10 am    Daily

Newcastle - Melbourne                     Melbourne - Newcastle

06:00 am    Daily                         11.35 am    Daily

16:50 pm    Daily                         19:15 pm    Daily  

Sale terms and conditions

Jetstar 300,000 Seat Sale. (Available at Jetstar.com. Sale fares commence from these prices.)

                Base Fare   Surcharges, Fees & Taxes      Total Fare

Newcastle-Brisbane      $19         $30                     $49  

Newcastle-Melbourne     $19         $30                     $49

Sale terms and conditions

The flight offer is available by booking on the airline's website, at Jetstar.com until midday 29 December 2004 unless seats sell out prior. The special online sale fare is for travel on specified Jetstar routes between 18 January 2005 and 31 May 2005. The one-way sale fares are subject to availability, and are not available on all flights. All amounts are non-refundable. Limited changes are permitted for a fee. See www.Jetstar.com for more details and conditions.

Online bookings at www.Jetstar.com can be made via direct payment from the user's internet bank account or via credit card.  An additional $2 per passenger per flight will be applied to fares paid by credit card or charge card. $10 extra will be charged for bookings through Jetstar Telephone Reservations on 131 538.