It will soon be a little easier to travel between the Gold Coast and New Zealand, with more flights set to depart Gold Coast Airport.
Air New Zealand will add two additional flights on its Auckland to Gold Coast route from March, taking the total number of weekly services to nine.
The extra services will provide an extra 27,400 seats between the two cities.
Queensland Airports Limited Chief Commercial Officer Adam Rowe said there was a clear demand for additional flights.
“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.”
Queensland’s Tourism Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, said it was another good sign for the tourism industry.
“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.
“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.”
