Tauranga may have missed out on hosting Jetstar flights in and out of the city, but Transport Minister Simon Bridges says he isn't giving up hope that they'll reconsider in the future.

In an announcement this morning, Jetstar outlined the introduction of services into regional New Zealand, with destinations now including Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth and Palmerston North.

Simon Bridges at today's Jetstar announcement. Photo: Supplied.

And while Simon was disappointed that Tauranga wasn't included in the destinations mentioned, he insisted he would push his region's claims for future routes.

'Jetstar have made it clear that this is a long term venture,” says the Tauranga MP, 'and they will be looking to increase their regional destinations in the future.”

He adds that it is a matter of 'when and not if” flights would come to the Bay of Plenty, and that eventuality would spark a 'tussle” between Tauranga and Rotorua.

Simon did, however, insists that today's announcement is great news for consumers.

'As we have seen in recent years, competition between Air New Zealand and Jetstar has ensured passengers travelling on main-trunk routes have had access to lower fares and more choice,” he says.

'So this announcement means new services will bring these same benefits to regional communities throughout New Zealand.”

Jetstar will begin offering the services from December.