Jetstar adds services to support AFL in Tasmania

Jetstar, the Official Partner of AFL Tasmania and Community Support Partner of the AFL Live in Tasmania series, has announced additional services and adjusted flight schedules to improve interstate player and supporter backing of AFL and VFL matches in Tasmania this season.

In its third year of supporting Australian Rules football in Tasmania and its important link to event tourism, Jetstar will add three additional return services between Melbourne and Launceston on AFL Premiership over the 2007 AFL Live in Tasmania season.

Jetstar has also revised its flight schedule to better accommodate VFL player, support and fan travel including the Tasmanian Devils squad for VFL match weekends during the 2007 premiership commencing on the weekend 6/7 April.

In a fillip to Jetstar domestic operations to Tasmania, the value based carrier has also announced additional direct services between Sydney and Hobart over the Easter period.

Over three premiership weekend rounds at Aurora Stadium, the value based carrier will operate an additional daily Melbourne – Launceston service on both Saturday and Sunday, increasing Jetstar operations to four times daily to meet the demand of interstate AFL supporters wanting to travel to these matches.

The additional Jetstar services will be marketed around Hawthorn’s clashes against West Coast Eagles (26 May), Kangaroos (29 July) and Port Adelaide (19 August).

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said the carrier’s commitment of additional services with the 177 seat Airbus A320 to support AFL Premiership matches in Launceston was warranted based on existing and anticipated interstate travel demand for Hawthorn’s matches in Tasmania this season.

Mr Joyce said Qantas had introduced additional capacity to cater for increased demand for Hawthorn’s first Premiership game at Aurora Stadium this season on 22 April as part of the Group’s collective support of the Launceston matches.

“Jetstar has been a proactive supporter of Australian Rules Football in the state since our start-up. Offering these additional flights means more seats targeted specifically for interstate fans to attend the games and the ability of these events to enhance tourism to the state,” Mr Joyce said

“The airline’s investment in additional flights for the three remaining AFL matches scheduled at Aurora Stadium is being proactively marketed through Jetstar.com and through visiting AFL clubs. There will be keen interest surrounding the additional seats for AFL fans incorporating a match as part of visiting the state.”

In consultation with the Tasmanian Devils management, Jetstar has shifted departure and arrival times over the VFL season by between 45 and 80 minutes to allow for more seamless access for the Devils squad for interstate matches in Victoria and to improve flight timings for visiting teams and fans.

“In our third year of support of the Devils, Jetstar has worked in unison with AFL Tasmania and the Devils to create the most optimum flying times for the squad into and out of the state, without affecting the integrity of our operations,” Mr Joyce said.

“The revised flight times will maintain existing Jetstar frequencies between Melbourne, Hobart and/or Launceston with minimal disruption for existing booked passengers. It’s a win win situation for AFL football and tourism in Tasmania.”

Report by The Mole