iscover
Jetstar will increase its capacity between Melbourne and Townsville over the winter season.
The low-cost carrier is upgauging from A320s to A321neo LRs on the route between June and October this year, which will add a total of 4,500 extra seats over the entire season. Melbourne is Townsville’s third busiest destination, with 90 per cent of seats full over last year’s winter.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
“We absolutely welcome the news that Jetstar has recognised the need for additional carrying capacity between Melbourne and Townsville, and are very excited to see these larger aircraft in our city come June,” said Townsville Enterprise Limited CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith.
“It is perfect timing based on our peak tourist season and also that our region is still recovering post-floods, so these additional seats will definitely help a lot of those embattled tourism operators who have collectively sustained booking losses worth more than $40 million in recent months.
“Townsville and broader North Queensland is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Australia, so it is very exciting to see airlines like Jetstar stepping up to meet our growing demand.”
According to Jetstar’s executive manager customer, Jenn Armor, the airline is looking to expand its low-fare Townsville services.
“We know Melburnians love to holiday up north during winter and we expect these extra seats to be really popular with customers looking for a winter escape,” she said.
“It will also mean more Townsville residents get to experience the benefits of flying on our brand new A321LRs, which are more comfortable, quieter and fuel efficient.”
The first A321neo LR was delivered to Jetstar at the end of July 2022, with 20 now in its fleet. The airline says its more fuel-efficient LEAP engines burn up to 20 per cent less fuel than Jetstar’s previous A321 planes and are up to 50 per cent quieter.
According to Jetstar, the A321neo fleet reduced emissions by more than 16,000 tonnes in its first year of flying, and has freed up its 787 Dreamliner fleet for longer international routes.
Additionally, Jetstar says the new planes have boosted its operational performance with their 99.8 per cent mechanical reliability.
Jetstar has also started adding the smaller A320neo to its fleet, with three now in service.
