Additional flights to and from New Zealand began last Friday 7 July, with flights to Auckland increasing to four times a week until 29 October to give our near neighbours a chance to warm up over the winter months.
Sunshine Coast Councillor Jason O’Pray said the ongoing commitment by Air New Zealand and trans-Tasman partner Virgin Australia had helped build the Sunshine Coast as a favourite destination for New Zealanders.
Figures show 66,000 New Zealanders visited the Sunshine Coast in the year ending March 2017, a 5.5 per cent increase on the previous year.
Last winter more than 13,500 passengers took advantage of the winter services, a 12 per cent increase on 2015.
Sunshine Coast Airport general manager Peter Pallot said the Air New Zealand flights broadened travel horizons for New Zealand residents and Sunshine Coast locals alike.
“The flights provide easy access for our New Zealand passengers, allowing them to begin their Sunshine Coast escape the moment they step off the plane,” he said.
“The services also provide hassle-free international travel for our residents, giving them the opportunity to explore all that New Zealand has to offer, or to take advantage of easy connections to a range of Air New Zealand international destinations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and beyond.”
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford said the regional tourism organisation’s Sunshine by Lunchtime campaign with Air New Zealand and Tourism Events Queensland was timed specifically to be in market in the chilly month of May and increase sales in the lead up to the flight services commencing today.
The airlines operate flights Fridays and Sundays throughout the year.
