Jetstar's first flight into Nelson was a little late but was met with a rousing welcome.
The flight from Auckland touched down on Tuesday afternoon about 20 minutes late because of weather conditions.
Jetstar's New Zealand corporate communications manager Phil Boeyen said the flight was "fantastic".
"[There were] wonderful people on board, everyone had some great bargains, [there were] people who had scored $9 flights."
The flight was welcomed by Mayor Rachel Reese, Archdeacon Andy Joseph and Broadgreen Intermediate School's kapa haka group.
Boeyen said the school's welcome was brilliant.
"The roof soared off... It was a really fantastic welcome to Nelson."
The airline will fly return flights three times a day between Nelson and Auckland, expanding to four times a day from February 1. Return flights from Nelson to Wellington will also commence in February.
Nelson was chosen as a destination after Jetstar ran a social media campaign to determine support. The other locations are New Plymouth, Napier and Palmerston North.
Passenger Annemie Dupont from Belgium, who was in Nelson for paragliding and walking the Abel Tasman Track, said the flight was good.
Stuff
Last updated 08:30, December 2 2015