Queensland Airports Limited welcomes the news that Air New Zealand will be adding two additional flights on its Auckland to Gold Coast route, providing an extra 27,400 seats between the two cities from March 2023.

These additional services build on Air New Zealand’s current daily flight schedule between Auckland and the Gold Coast, taking the total to nine services per week between March and October 2023.

Queensland Airports Limited Chief Commercial Officer Adam Rowe said the passenger load on the current Auckland/Gold Coast connections shows the demand to support additional flights is there.

“On average, over the past six months more than 91 per cent 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,” Mr Rowe said.

“New Zealand is the Gold Coast’s number one international visitor market, and more seats between Auckland and the Gold Coast means more visitors coming here to support our local businesses and economy, and more families able to reconnect with loved ones,” he said.

“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 boost in capacity is credit to the ongoing commitment between Queensland Airports Limited, the Queensland Government, Destination Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast, through the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said New Zealand was currently Queensland’s number one country for international arrivals.

“We know many New Zealand families have relatives and friends living on the Gold Coast, which makes reunions important to Queensland’s International tourism recovery,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Air New Zealand’s inbound flights are supported by our $200 million 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 the Gold Coast, contributing almost $28 million a year and 270 good Queensland jobs to the visitor economy.

“Now is the perfect time for New Zealanders to plan their escape from the cold with a spot in the warm Gold Coast sun and a world-class Queensland holiday with family and friends.”

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty says the airline is excited about the extra seats helping connect family and friends in Queensland, and rebuild trans-Tasman tourism for both countries.

“Since borders reopened last year, we’ve seen high demand across the Tasman with Kiwis and Aussies keen to reconnect with friends and find adventure in the Gold Coast. With nine Air New Zealand flights a week from March, there’s never been a better time to book that trip and we’re really looking forward to bringing more Kiwi tourists to the sparkling mecca of world-class surf breaks on the Gold Coast.”

Destination Gold Coast Chair Adrienne Readings said the announcement was a testament to the appeal and growing demand of the Gold Coast.

“These additional services will further strengthen our trans-Tasman connection which serves as a strong vote of confidence from our chief international visitor market into the new year and beyond.

“Aviation unlocks new avenues for tourism and through collaborative partnerships such as this, we ensure the Gold Coast continues to thrive as a hub for accessibility to South East Queensland.

“New Zealanders already have a strong affinity with the Gold Coast and beyond our drawcards of unbeatable weather and unrivalled tourism experiences we continue to evolve our breadth of coastal to hinterland offerings.”

The additional flights are on sale now at www.airnewzealand.com.au.