Air New Zealand has confirmed that from February, a 68-seat ATR-72 will fly the early evening weekday flight between the two cities, instead of a 50-seat Q300.
ATR's are currently used only on Friday evenings.
Air New Zealand spokesperson Brigitte Ransom says the airline will also replace some 19-seat weekend flights with 50-seater's from next year.
Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby is confident there is demand.
"As long as the price is right - that's the other key issue - they'll get good loadings on those upgraded aircraft as well.''
