"It's a complete game-changer for tourism growth opportunities - competitive airfares are good for domestic tourism but this will also open up international connections to Australia too."
Napier Mayor Bill Dalton said the regional teams who pushed for the service had clearly shown that the Bay was a region on the up, and with plenty of potential.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule described it as a long-awaited prize.
"It is very exciting that we have landed a huge player."
Since Jetstar announced the new Napier-Auckland service bookings had been strong for the three daily flights.
The service is planned to expand to four return services a day from February 1.
The Jetstar colours however have already been spotted at Hawke's Bay Airport.
"Yes, sharp-eyed people will have seen it there on Tuesday," the airline's communications manager Phil Boeyen said.
"We have been doing trial flights this week which is a standard part of our preparations and it has all gone very well."
The introduction of Jetstar now mean three airlines are serving the region, with Sounds Air kicking off is services to Blenheim earlier this month.
Next Tuesday, to celebrate the start of the new Auckland link, there will be an official function in the main terminal from 7.30am, with flight JQ350 scheduled to take off at 9am.
An official welcome featuring a spectacular water arch will be staged upon arrival at Auckland Airport at 10am.
