Whangarei on Jetstar's 'maybe later' destination list

Jetstar managers will visit regional centres during the next two months to meet airport companies, local government, and business, travel and tourism representatives.

Jetstar has not ruled out direct flights to Whangarei in the longer term as it goes head to head with Air New Zealand on regional routes later this year.

Jetstar announced on Thursday it will start flying to regional destinations in New Zealand from later this year, bringing what it says is much-needed competition and more affordable fares to travellers outside the country's main centres.

New destinations currently being considered are Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Napier, Nelson and Invercargill.

While Whangarei was not considered for the initial uptake, Alan Joyce, chief executive of Jetstar's parent company Qantas, said it would look at expanding operations to more regions in future.

The first provincial flights will start in December. The aircraft will be 10-year-old Australian 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turbo-props, the same model Air NZ uses to and from Whangarei.

Jetstar managers will visit regional centres during the next two months to meet airport companies, local government, and business, travel and tourism representatives to determine the first destinations.

Mr Joyce said the services would bring huge economic benefits to the regions.

"We're creating 100 more jobs for the operations," he said. "That is on top of the 400 direct employees we currently have. But that's only part of the job story. There will be hundreds more jobs created indirectly by the stimulation effect and tourism effect," he said.

"The economic benefit of these services will be quite considerable to the local communities."

Travellers could also expect big drops in usual regional prices, Mr Joyce said.

"When we entered the domestic market in 2009, fares came down by 40 per cent. That's the typical reduction you see across the board when our low-cost carriers come in."

More details of price would be included in Jetstar's commercial announcement in September, with prices affected by local partnerships.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key said the regions should be "openly cheering" following the announcement.

"This is going to give New Zealanders more opportunities to visit family, businessmen another way to take trips, and international tourists another way to visit key tourism destinations in New Zealand."