The Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar, a subsidiary of the Qantas Group, is further expanding its domestic route network.
First airline to take off from Western-Sydney:
October 25, 2026, will mark a historic date for Australian aviation: the opening of Western Sydney International Airport (Nancy-Bird Walton), the first major airport built from the ground up in the country in more than fifty years. Jetstar will have the honor of operating the very first commercial passenger flight from this new hub, with flight JQ362 bound for the Gold Coast, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. local time.
Jetstar Airways will operate up to 14 weekly flights to Melbourne, including 4 flights to the Gold Coast and 3 flights to Brisbane, all operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. Service to Brisbane will begin on October 26.
These new routes complement the existing service from Kingsford Smith Airport and are expected to improve air access for residents of western Sydney, a region experiencing rapid population growth. Tickets for these flights have been on sale at Jetstar.com and at the Australian airline’s ticket offices since June 10, with introductory fares starting at 59 AUD to the Gold Coast.
Qantas will follow suit starting March 28, 2027, with four weekly flights to Melbourne and Brisbane operated by Embraer E190 aircraft. Other airlines have also confirmed they will begin service at this new, internationally-oriented airport: Air New Zealand starting October 26 to Auckland, followed by Singapore Airlines starting November 23.
Perth-Christchurch: Jetstar is the sole operator on this route:
The second highlight of this wave of announcements is the return of a direct route between Perth and Christchurch, which has been absent from the market since Air New Zealand withdrew in 2019. From October 27, 2026, through March 27, 2027, Jetstar will operate three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) on this route using the Airbus A321LR.
This new seasonal service will coincide with the airline’s winter hiatus for its Perth-Singapore flights, from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027. It will also be accompanied by the opening of a new crew base in Perth, creating up to 90 jobs.
Jetstar will be the only low-cost carrier operating on this route. Traffic on this route is currently dominated by legacy carriers such as Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Emirates. According to Jetstar’s estimates, the new service is expected to add more than 30,000 low-cost seats during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Sydney-Christchurch: Expanding service on the Trans-Tasman route
At the same time, Jetstar will also strengthen its presence on the Sydney-Christchurch route starting October 25, 2026, with two daily flights operated by Airbus A320s—a frequency that reflects the low-cost carrier’s commitment to expanding its Trans-Tasman network beyond the major traditional routes.
Jetstar will soon launch a direct flight between Melbourne and Colombo:
The Australian low-cost carrier will operate its inaugural Melbourne-Colombo flight on August 25, 2026; thereafter, this route will be served three times a week—on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays—using Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
In a press release, Jetstar announced that this year-round service will undergo a phased upgrade of its Economy and Business Class cabins starting early next year, including the installation of Wi-Fi.