JQ to replace Qantas Domestic NZ
 

Hi all

I have heard some rumors that JQ will replace all NZ domestic services by end of June. Is there any truth to these?

I know that JQ start AKL services soon to Sydney and Gold Coast so a link between AKL and CHC would make sense to cycle aircraft.

Cheers

Jetconnect are replacing their current fleet with New 738's this year, so I cant see JQ replacing all Jetconnect Services, mabye some though

I have heard that QF/JQ will both operate domestically within NZ, similar to the 2 brand statagy used here in Australia.

From APR/MAY the B733/B734s will begin to be replaced by B73Hs for use on trans tasman and peak biz time domestic services.

AVIATION RECORD states below
yes looks like JQ and QF both will operate NZ domestic with QF being the full service airline and JQ the low cost one.


WELLINGTON: Qantas subsidiary Jetstar has begun recruiting some 250 staff for its planned New Zealand expansion.

The Dominion-Post newspaper reports today that the airline is seeking up to 250 new pilots, cabin crew and ground staff.

It currently flies to Australia from Christchurch, and will add trans-Tasman services to Auckland from the end of April. It has also
reportedly applied to run domestic routes, a move expected to follow the rationalisation of 'full service' Qantas domestic flights.

CEO Bruce Buchanan said about 100 staff would be employed in the first wave, adding to the approximately 65 in Christchurch.

Jetstar would add a third 180-seat Airbus A320 jet to its New Zealand fleet to cater for the Auckland service and Mr Buchanan said up to
another five A320s would be added during the year, which would require another 150 staff.

With QF now able to operate VH-Rego B73Hs in both Australia and NZ I wouldnt be suprised to see J class make a return to the QF NZ domestic product.

From what I have been told via a reliable source JQ are going to operate in NZ, Taking Over from QF. They have had the 'name change' approved to Jetstar Airways by the relevant authorities in NZ.

My Source said they will initially be operating under a Australian Air Operators Certificate, but eventually get a NZ Air Operators Cert

QF won't want to withdraw from trunk route NZ domestic flying - it provides them with important on carriage into Australia/Intl routes.

The 73H's also allow them to conduct RNP approaches into ZQN.

Jetconnect cost base is less then JQ Aust cost base - it doesn't make a terrible amount of sense to replace a full product with a low cost one when the cost difference is small - especially when the full service product places you in a competitive position to gain on carriage.

Didn't VH-TJZ recently transfer to Jet Connect??

To begin with you can just refer to the wages - compare the Jetconnect CEA's to the Jetstar EBA's and that will take care of the salarys.

It would be very difficult for an Australian operation to compete on cost base with an NZ operation - they are very different industrial worlds.

I look forward to JQ's expansion in NZ
I think it will be great for the New Zealander's, to have a bit more competition over there