Jetstar expects to operate more domestic flights than ever in February and March, on the back of low fares and demand for domestic travel.
The low-cost carrier is scheduling more than 850 return flights per week to 55 domestic destinations by the end of the first quarter of 2021, it says in a 15 December statement.
The extra services will be operated by Airbus A320s previously deployed on its international network, to destinations such as Bali and Singapore.
“The boost in flying represents more than 110% of Jetstar’s pre-Covid domestic schedule (compared to March 2019), and follows research recently conducted by Jetstar that showed that 86% of respondents intend to travel domestically in 2021,” the carrier states.
Based on the same survey, Jetstar sees Hobart and Melbourne as gaining the most popularity as destinations, while Cairns and Gold Coast appeal to families.
Cirium schedules data shows that Jetstar operated an average of 841 return flights each week in 2018, and 837 in 2019. Based on current schedules, the carrier will clock 348 flights this year and has pencilled in 855 for 2021.
Jetstar’s in-service and stored fleet comprises 49 A320ceos, 8 A321ceos, and 11 Boeing 787-8s, according to Cirium fleets data.
