Air NZ opens gateway to central North Island
AUCKLAND – Air New Zealand is to launch direct air services between Sydney and Rotorua on December 12 utilising a 152-seat A320 aircraft.
The airline will operate a twice-weekly service from December 19 on Saturdays and Mondays until the end of January, after which they will operate on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
“Rotorua is an iconic tourism destination and we see the potential for good passenger numbers from Australia and the continued strength of inbound tourism from there has lent weight to our decision,” said Glen Sowry. Air NZ general manager Tasman Pacific.
“The new services will also make Rotorua significantly more accessible for visitors from Asia who often visit both Australia and New Zealand and whom we can now bring directly from Sydney to Rotorua instead of via Auckland.â€
Sowry said through winter the new service also provided significant opportunities in attracting more Australian skiers to the central North Island ski fields.
He added, “The new flights will position Rotorua as the gateway to the central North Island and also provide residents from Tauranga, Taupo, Whakatane, Hawke’s Bay and other areas across the region with a more convenient and competitive trans-Tasman service.
“Although the Tasman remains one of our most challenging markets we will continue to look for opportunities to grow visitor numbers into New Zealand particularly where there is a strong community desire to support the service.”
Lead-in online fares from Sydney to Rotorua (one way per person), start from $249 and are now available at www.airnewzealand.com.au
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt