Low budget airline Jetstar to start direct flights between Adelaide and Auckland

HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to book direct flights from Adelaide to Auckland today as Jetstar launches a new service.

HOLIDAYMAKERS will be able to book direct flights from Adelaide to Auckland from December after Jetstar launches its latest low-fare route.

Flights on an Airbus A320 will depart Auckland three times a week - on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday - and return from Adelaide later the same day, beginning December 16.

Jetstar is the first budget airline to offer direct flights between the two cities.

The tourism industry expects the new route will attract more Kiwi tourists to SA, as well as giving Adelaide travellers more options.

Jetstar expects to carry more than 40,000 passengers in and out of Adelaide over the next 12 months.

Regular lead-in fares will start from $219 one-way when booked online, not including checked baggage.

Jetstar Head of NZ Grant Kerr said New Zealanders would take advantage of the new route to visit South Australia's wine regions, markets, beaches, festivals and the River Murray.

"We know Kiwis love to holiday in Australia and now they can discover or revisit another destination more affordably than in the past," he said.

SA Tourism Commission research shows the River Murray and food and wine from the Adelaide Hills and Limestone Coast are the most popular South Australian offerings among New Zealand tourists.

A Tourism & Transport Forum report on airport arrivals and departures shows $1.19 million passengers flew from New Zealand into Australia in June this year while 1.14 flew out of Australia to New Zealand.

Premier Jay Weatherill said the Jetstar flights would bring the number of weekly international flights into Adelaide to 47, up from 13 in 2002.

"That brings in extraordinary opportunities for local tourism operators and its also great for people that want to get away to some international destinations," he said.