Wheels up: Air NZ to launch flights between Hamilton and Queenstown in 2027

Air New Zealand states 3 return flights a week will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays utilizing an Airbus A320 with 171 seats.

The flights will come in the nick of time for the hectic winter, the airline company states.

Hamilton Airport states the flights will fulfill strong need from citizens, assistance tourist streams in between the 2 areas and reinforce Hamilton’s function as an entrance to the main North Island.

The year-round service will permit tourists to reach Queenstown without needing to fly direct from Auckland or capture linking flights by means of Wellington or Christchurch.

Hamilton Airport president Mark Morgan states the brand-new service will even more increase the airport’s growing guest base, with a record 530,000 travelers taking a trip through Hamilton in 2015. It will use about 53,300 seats each year throughout both instructions.

“It’s a significant milestone for Hamilton Airport but also a great vote of confidence in the wider region,” Morgan stated.

“This decision by Air New Zealand responds to a long-standing desire for better connections between the two regions. It will reduce the need for international visitors to backtrack through Auckland, leaving more time to explore the central North Island.

“There is an excellent chance to establish incoming tourist and brand-new exploring schedules connecting Queenstown with locations like Hamilton Gardens, Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo. We’ll deal with Air New Zealand and tourist partners to establish that chance with time,” he said.

The new service will use existing airport infrastructure and will not require further investment. Hamilton Airport already accommodates Airbus A320 jet services to Christchurch and can coordinate terminal operations, security screening and staffing for the new flights.

“3 services a week is an excellent location to begin,” Morgan said of the route’s future. “We’ll collaborate to promote the service and develop need throughout the year.”

Local support would be key to attracting more airlines and building more routes out of Hamilton, he said.

“Every path requires a sound industrial structure and needs to fit with an airline company’s network and development strategies. We continue to have these discussions and push Hamilton’s case really hard.”