Air NZ says Vancouver passengers are heading to Hobart on its gateway service. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Hobart Airport is already talking about a year-round NZ service after Air New Zealand wrapped up a successful summer service.
The Hobart-Auckland flights will resume this October and have proven hugely popular, the state government says.
The Kiwi carrier also says they have seen a surge in passenger numbers from Vancouver using their service to head to Tasmania.
Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter says they are looking forward to yet another successful season.
“This is not goodbye; this is ‘see you soon’,” he says, and adds that tickets for the new season are already available.
“We’re continuing to work with Air New Zealand to potentially expand the season in the future,” Carter says.
The service will form part of a state drive to secure more international services.
“That’s why we’re investing $130 million in runway upgrades, $200 million to redevelop the terminal, and over $20 million in carparks, forecourt and road works,” Carter says.
ECONOMIC BOOM
Tasmanian Premier and Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff says the NZ flights have been a great boon for their tourism industry.
“The return of Air New Zealand direct flights to Hobart has been a soaring success,” Rockliff says.
He says the new service brought more than 23,200 this season, an 11 per cent increase on the previous year with an average of around 86 per cent full capacity on all flights.
“It’s great news for our accommodation, restaurant, café and attraction operators across the state with visitors from New Zealand ranking among the top spenders of all travellers”, Rockliff says.
AIRLINE REACTION
Air NZ General Manger Kathryn O’Brien says they look forward to returning to Tasmania.
“We’ve seen growth in the popularity of this service year on year,” she says.
“Of course, travellers from Auckland represent the largest cohort of travellers but it’s also popular with those from Wellington and Christchurch.”
She noted that they have also seen “a great uptake” of travellers from Vancouver, Canada, using the service to travel to Tasmania as well as Tasmanians visiting NZ or stopping over on their way to North America, Asia or the Pacific Islands.
