[3] In June 2015, Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce announced that Eastern Australia would operate regional services in New Zealand, using Jetstar-branded Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops.

Jetstar cited soft demand, higher fuel costs and a loss making operation as reasons for the withdrawal.

[5][6] On 25 June 2024, Qantas announced an order for 14 mid-life Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft to be operated by fellow Qantaslink airline, Sunstate.

[8][9] The company will however continue to employ pilots and cabin crew to operate domestic and regional services for Qantaslink.

Between December 2015 and November 2019 Eastern Australian Airlines operated regional domestic services within New Zealand under the Jetstar brand.