Are we reaching “peak Jetstar”?

Benje Patternson has been keeping an eye on the air travel statistics, and found that Jetstar’s share of the New Zealand domestic market in the December year was down on the year to June.  This raises the question, have we reached peak Jetstar and what does this mean (Infometrics link)?  After noting that there is only so much we can read into the change, especially after the phenomenal growth of recent years, Benje notes it is more important to think about these issues with regard to the domestic economy as a whole:

Regardless of whether you are an Air New Zealand loyalist, or just choose whichever airline is cheapest, it is to be hoped that Jetstar’s recent set back is not the beginning of a slow decline for the airline.  After all, for consumers and businesses alike, the competition between these two airlines is vital for keeping domestic air travel prices low and regional air connectivity high.  Even in regional centres where Jetstar does not fly, a lid is still kept on Air New Zealand pricing by factors such as the proximity of main-trunk airports with low-cost connections and even the threat of Jetstar investing in its own regional turboprop capacity.