Airline head wants to bring choice to the Bay

Head of Jetstar NZ Grant Kerr see's great potential for fgr growth in Hawke's Bay

This summer, people of Hawke's Bay will be flying high all the way to Auckland, with Jetstar checking passengers in as early as December.

News of a second carrier to the region was met with excitement across the board this week and the head of Jetstar New Zealand,

Grant Kerr, said not only could he see a huge opportunity for growth in the region, it was a growth that his company could contribute to.

"The other key part of it was about the partnership. The engagement we had with all the key stakeholders was just outstanding, it really was," he said.

A part of this growth would be a slew of jobs for the local market - "up to 100 jobs across the country for the four destinations we have announced at this point", he said.

Jetstar had an external company doing its ground handling, including checking-in, plus loading and unloading of aircraft.

That company would be recruiting locally.

"Also we will also be overnighting our crew and our aircraft here every night of the year," he said.

"So what that means is, for our crew we will need accommodation."

So come this December, people will see a new Jetstar counter on the right as they walk into the Hawke's Bay Airport to check into one of three daily flights offered from Napier to Auckland. A fourth flight will be added next February.

"What we are wanting to do is make sure that we get this right," Mr Kerr said.
"So we have a very sound and robust, I guess, product.

"Therefore, we will just start small and then we will just increase our schedule, and you can see online that we are commencing on December 1."

This will mean eventually there will be 27 extra flights to and from the Bay every week.
Ultimately for Jetstar, the move to the provinces was about giving people a choice.

"I think what it will bring to the Hawke's Bay is just that opportunity to fly, so our lead-in fare is $49, so that will remain," he said.

"It is about giving everybody a choice, and I think where we can bring that [is with] low fares.

"We believe that every Kiwi deserves a choice, every Kiwi should be given opportunities so it is affordable to fly."