On March 29, Qantas Airways said it would acquire nine additional Airbus A320 aircraft for use by Jetstar.

The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the new aircraft would be deployed on domestic and short-haul international routes.

"The aircraft will be delivered over a 15-month timeframe from late 2007," he said.

Mr Dixon said Qantas would also boost capacity in the Qantas domestic operations.

"Four Boeing 767-300 aircraft from our international fleet that were due to be sold from mid-2007 will now be transferred to domestic operations.

"The additional capacity for both Jetstar and Qantas, along with previously announced plans for QantasLink, should enable the Qantas Group to maintain its 65 per cent share of the Australian domestic market."

Mr Dixon said the additional A320 aircraft would enable Jetstar to grow on some of its most popular leisure routes including Cairns, Gold Coast, Perth and the Northern Territory.

"Jetstar will also use the new aircraft to look at new destinations within Australia."