One of Jetstar’s new 787 Dreamliners (Image: Airline Reporter)

Low cost Qantas-group airline Jetstar will launch twice weekly flights between Melbourne and the Thai resort island of Phuket, with a third weekly service to be added next year.

The flights will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, and are to begin on 14th December, reports Crikey. The third weekly flight is to begin some time in March 2014.

Jetstar, which previously operated flights to Phuket via Sydney or Singapore, will initially operate Airbus A330 aircraft on the route before gradually phasing in its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline has also announced that it will add one extra weekly flight to each of its Melbourne – Singapore and its Melbourne – Honolulu flights.

However the new flights will come at the expense of direct Singapore – Osaka and Singapore – Beijing flights, which will come to an end in November.

All new flights are subject to regulatory approval, and bookings can be made on Jetstar’s website.