Jetstar drops Gold Coast-Osaka flights

LOW-cost carrier Jetstar has cut flights between the Gold Coast and the Japanese city of Osaka - delivering a blow to the city's tourism industry.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to increase capacity from the Gold Coast to Tokyo

LOW-cost carrier Jetstar has cut flights between the Gold Coast and the Japanese city of Osaka - delivering a blow to the city's tourism industry.

The airline flew from the Gold Coast to Osaka three times a week, but will now only offer a Gold Coast to Tokyo service.

Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer David Hall said the decision had been made to suspend the route because it was not performing well.

But he also admitted that the move was part of wider cutbacks by Jetstar.

"The suspension of the service is part of our response to the current state of the Australian aviation market and a realignment of Jetstar's international network," he said.

Mr Hall said the number of seats offered by Jetstar between the Gold Coast and Japan would be boosted again when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner started operating in 2015.

"We will be offering an extra 23,000 seats a year more than what is currently offered on our A330 flights," he said.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to increase capacity from the Gold Coast to Tokyo