Jetstar took to the skies three years ago in May 2004, and a survey released on May 21, 2007, highlights that almost 3 out of 4 Australians believe Jetstar, the every day low fares airline, has had a positive effect on airfares.

Research conducted by Galaxy Research found that the 'Jetstar effect' rang true with 72 per cent believing that Jetstar had had this positive effect regarding their thoughts and impressions of air travel.

63 per cent surveyed believed domestic airfares in Australia are cheaper now than in 2004, underlining the positive impact the value based carrier has had on the Australian tourism industry.

Since May 2004, Jetstar has carried close to 17 million passengers of which 1 million passengers have flown for under AU$50 one-way and over 8 million passengers have flown for under AU$100 one-way on Jetstar.

Jetstar's Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said Australia has witnessed greater usage of air travel and lower fares since the launch of Jetstar, and according to Galaxy Research, 7.5 million Australians are now more likely to travel by air than three years ago.

"We think this is a great testament to how we have fuelled the competitive environment since our start-up."

"Jetstar has always prided itself on offering consumers highly competitive airfares. In our short three year history we believe we have continued to be the low fares leader - a position we are determined to maintain," Mr Joyce said.

"In just three years we've sold over one million flights at under AU$50, including all surcharges, fees and taxes, which means a AU$50 flight sold every 90 seconds."

"That's proof that Jetstar has been consistent in meeting its proposition of offering low fares - every day."

"And Jetstar's impact has had an even greater effect than just lowering domestic airfares, and allowing more people to take more holidays. We've added over 1,000 direct jobs since our 2004 start-up, and helped create over 15,000 additional jobs in the tourism industry."

Commenting on the impact Jetstar has had on Australian travel, Tourism Australia Chairman, Tim Fischer said, "Tourism Australia recognises the significant role that Jetstar has played in its first three years, particularly in encouraging domestic travel."

"Through Jetstar's development the Qantas Group has been able to service many more routes with greater frequencies, providing travellers with many more options to explore our great country."

"We look forward to this expanded capacity and route network providing increased opportunities for travellers to get to and around our country so they can experience all it has to offer," Mr Fischer said.

Over the past three years some Jetstar's impact on the market has seen:

• On the routes Jetstar flies, passenger numbers have grown at 4 times the national average;
• Close to 10 per cent of Jetstar's international passengers are first time international travellers and still around 5 per cent of our domestic passenger base are first time flyers;
• Many of the markets Jetstar has operated upon have experienced exponential passenger growth over the past three years including Newcastle, Ballina Byron and both the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast;
• 33 per cent growth in people taking air travel for their holiday (according to Roy Morgan Single Source data);
• Jetstar has helped contribute to many Australian airports continuing to achieve record passenger through-put and profitability.

"Jetstar has redefined the value-based market. Over the past three years Jetstar's every day low fares have afforded many Australians with the luxury of a holiday through flying," Mr Joyce said.

"Tourism Queensland has been delighted by the development of our relationship with Jetstar - both domestically and internationally. We view our partnership with Jetstar as a vital part of our future, and we congratulate them on the incredible successes of their first three years," Peter Wade, Chairman, Tourism Queensland.