If you are planning a Cairns trip from New Zealand’s South Island, the direct option is going away for a while.
Jetstar is suspending its Christchurch to Cairns service from 24 October 2026, along with its Auckland to Sunshine Coast route. 1News reported the airline citing “lower than expected demand on both routes” alongside rising operating costs.
If you are already booked
A Jetstar spokesperson said customers booked on the affected services “will be rebooked on alternative flights or have the option of a refund if it no longer suits their travel needs”.
If you are holding a booking that crosses 24 October, contact Jetstar rather than waiting to be contacted, and check what the rebooked routing actually is before you accept it. A rebooking via Sydney or Melbourne can add most of a day, which matters if you have a reef trip locked in for the morning after you land.
Getting here from the South Island instead
You have not lost access to Cairns, just the direct hop. The realistic options:
- Connect through an Australian east coast city. Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne all have frequent Cairns services. Brisbane is usually the shortest total journey from Christchurch.
- Fly via Auckland. Auckland retains more trans-Tasman capacity, and Jetstar is increasing Auckland to Melbourne from seven to eleven flights a week from late October, which opens up connections.
- Watch for the route returning. Cairns Airport has said publicly it is working towards restoring services next year, so this is a suspension rather than a permanent axing. Nothing is confirmed, so do not plan around it.
Worth noting that Jetstar is not retreating from New Zealand generally. The same announcement brought back Christchurch to Sydney from 26 October and launched Christchurch to Perth from 27 October, which is useful if you are routing through Sydney anyway.
Why it happened
Demand was the stated reason, but the airline also pointed at costs, including Australia’s Passenger Movement Charge rising to AUD $80 per passenger, an increase of $10, plus broader increases in airport charges and government fees on both sides of the Tasman. Low-fare carriers feel that sort of thing first, because it is a fixed cost sitting on top of a cheap ticket.
Once you land
However you get here, the airport is close to town, and our Cairns airport transfers guide covers the options and rough costs. If you are weighing up where to base yourself, Cairns or Port Douglas is the decision most first-time visitors are actually trying to make.
Route and reasoning from 1News, 25 June 2026. Confirm your own booking directly with Jetstar, and check current schedules before making plans.
