Air New Zealand touched down at Hobart Airport on Sunday, October 27, marking a return of the popular direct international flights between Hobart and Auckland.
Travellers can now fly from Tasmania to New Zealand three times a week, on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, as part of the returned service over the peak tourism season. The return of these flights will boost activity in Hobart’s tourism sector worth $617 million. With the peak summer season approaching, the return of these flights is set to boost both visitor numbers and the local economy.
City of Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the resumption of direct flights between Hobart and Auckland strengthens Hobart’s connectivity with the world.
“We are particularly excited about the opportunity for North American visitors to fly via Auckland and avoid the long queues at mainland hubs,” she said.
“Last season, we saw around 10 per cent of inbound visitors come from North America, and we expect similar interest this time around.”
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said many New Zealanders enjoyed the chance to visit Tasmania without needing to stop in Melbourne or Sydney on the way, so the return of this service is very welcome.
“Kia ora Tassie! It’s great to have the direct air link with Hobart back in place,” he said.
“We also look forward to again welcoming Tasmanians to visit and enjoy Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Hobart Airport Chief Financial and Commercial Officer Kate Gillies said this was great news for Tasmanian travellers and the state’s tourism industry.
“There will be an additional 24,000 international seats inbound and outbound over the next five months,” Ms Gillies said.
“For Tasmanian travellers, it’s a ticket to the world; they can clear customs in Hobart and travel via Auckland to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Hawaii and more. With one of these tickets, Tasmanians could literally have brunch in Salamanca and dinner in New York on the very same day.”
The return of the Hobart to Auckland flights adds to the developments at Hobart Airport, including a $130 million runway upgrade, $200 million terminal redevelopment and investment of over $20 million in the carparks, forecourt and road network. Air New Zealand General Manager Australia Kathryn O’Brien shared her excitement about reconnecting customers between Tasmania and New Zealand in the coming months.
“We’re thrilled to resume our seasonal services, once again linking Aussies to New Zealand’s largest city,” she said.
“New Zealand truly has something for every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking to relax at one of the country’s iconic wineries, get out in nature and explore, or enjoy a beach escape, there are plenty of options for travel across the ditch. We look forward to welcoming Tasmanians onboard this summer.”
From Auckland, Tasmanians can connect to 19 domestic ports in New Zealand or stop over for a getaway further afield in North America, Asia or the Pacific Islands./
