Flag carrier Air New Zealand has revealed plans to add two more flight services on its Auckland to Gold Coast route.
Gold Coast Airport operator and owner Queensland Airports said that the addition will provide 27,400 extra seats between the two cities starting this March.
The announcement for additional flights came in response to the growing traffic between Auckland and Gold Coast.
It will increase Air New Zealand’s weekly services to nine between March and October this year.
Queensland Airports chief commercial officer Adam Rowe said: “On average, over the past six months more than 91% of seats have been booked out on flights between Gold Coast and Auckland, and in recent months, we have seen many flights operating at capacity.
“New Zealand is Gold Coast’s number one international visitor market, and more seats between Auckland and Gold Coast means more visitors coming here to support our local businesses and economy, and more families able to reconnect with loved ones.
“The additional seats on this route also support the onward international demand that comes through Auckland such as from North America with direct flights to seven cities, including New York, Chicago and Houston.”
The announcement for additional flight services is driven by the ongoing commitment between Queensland Airports, the Queensland government, Destination Gold Coast and the City of Gold Coast, through the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.
Announced last year, the fund aims to increase service frequency, capacity and development of new international aviation routes into Queensland’s airports.
Queensland Government Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said: “Air New Zealand’s inbound flights are supported by our $200m international aviation war chest in partnership with Queensland’s four international airports, including Gold Coast Airport.
“We’re excited by the potential of this extended service to land 21,000 Kiwis on Gold Coast, contributing almost $28m a year and 270 good Queensland jobs to the visitor economy.”
