Jetstar has been announced today as the newest New Zealand Olympic Committee partner, providing travel support for the New Zealand Olympic Team as they share their success with Kiwis in a special homecoming event planned for 24 August in Christchurch.
David Hall, Jetstar CEO Australia and New Zealand says the opportunity to support the Olympic team was a natural fit for the airline which sold almost four million domestic seats around New Zealand since launching in 2009.
When the New Zealand Olympic Committee approached us to be part of celebrating the homecoming for the 2012 team, we jumped at the chance to share the Olympic spirit with Kiwis in Christchurch, he said. Jetstars entire New Zealand team, from airport ground staff to cabin crew, plus thousands of our customers, will be right behind the team as they strive for podium places in London.
Christchurch was chosen for the honour of hosting the welcome home event by the New Zealand Olympic Committee as it, above all New Zealand towns and cities, symbolises national pride and character.
New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general Kereyn Smith said it has been a tough 18 months for Christchurch and the New Zealand Olympic Committee wanted to recognize the courage that had been shown by the community.
They have had to cope with tragic loss of life, devastation of personal property, loss of the central business district and on the sporting front many facilities and events been severely disrupted. We hope this goes someway to showing the people of Christchurch the pride we have in their city.
The New Zealand Olympic Team is proud to have Jetstar on board to help our team to Christchurch for this official welcome home, she continued.
The Olympic Welcome Home event is being managed by the Christchurch City Council together with the staff of New Zealand Olympic Committee partners.
Jetstar operates more than 100 domestic flights in New Zealand each week, serving Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. Internationally Jetstar flies Kiwis across the Tasman to multiple Australian destinations, and via Singapore to 22 ports in Asia.
