Australian Budget Airlines

Australian budget airlines market has been one of the growth stories of the past few years. In addition to the several existing low cost airlines, there are many in planning stage by the regional Asian full service airline giants.

Although Australia is the prime market for many of these carriers, the companies are also expanding to service destinations in many Asian markets.

One of the best known no frills airlines competing in the sector is Virgin Blue, one of the companies started by the famous British entrepreneur Richard Branson. They've been very successful despite strong competition and seem destined to continue strong growth.

Existing Australian Budget Airlines

The current set of Australian budget airlines, including those operating out of New Zealand, includes the following airlines

Freedom Air
www.freedomair.com

Freedom Air International began services in December 1995. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Air New Zealand.

Destinations: Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fiji, Gold Coast, Hamilton, Melbourne, Palmerston North, Sydney, Wellington.

JetStar
www.jetstar.com.au

Jetstar is one of Australia's most popular low fares airlines. Their aim is to provide low fares to Australian and New Zealand leisure travellers. The company started operations on the 25th May, 2004.

Destinations: Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Brisbane, Christchurch, Hamilton Island, Launceston, Mackay, Newcastle, Rockhampton, Townsville, Whitsunday Coast, Sydney, Ballina Byron, Fraser Coast.

Origin Pacific Airways
www.originpacific.co.nz

Origin Pacific originally lauched, in 1997, as an air charter service. It is New Zealand based, with ambitions to grow substantially in other markets as well.

Destinations: Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Wellington.

Virgin Blue
www.virginblue.com.au

Virgin Blue is a popular low-cost airline based in Australia. The company also flies to New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Samoa.

Destinations: Adelaide, Ballina Byron, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Canberra, Coffs Coast, Darwin, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Townsville, Whitsunday Coast, Auckland (New Zealand), Christchurch (New Zealand), Wellington (New Zealand), Nadi (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Rarotonga (Cook Islands), Nuku Alofa (Tonga), Apia (Samoa).

Pacific Blue
www.flypacificblue.com

A low fares airline operated by Virgin Blue.

Destinations: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Christchurch, plus all the available Virgin Blue flights are bookable through Pacific Blue.


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