Air New Zealand has announced plans for nine extra direct flights to Queenstown this winter, a decision that has been met with delight by Queenstown promoters.
The new flights include a daily non-stop service from Wellington to Queenstown for the 12 expected weeks of the ski season, from June 27 to
September 21.
New direct midweek flights have also been added from Sydney and Brisbane.
Air New Zealand chief operating officer Andrew Miller said the Wellington flight would provide 66 extra seats to the tourist destination each day.
The flights were "designed to stimulate the Wellington skiing market", with the first one of the season to coincide with the Queenstown Winter Festival.
The combined domestic and international flights would be able to provide 6000 seats each week to the town.
Destination Queenstown chairman Vance Boyd said there had been lobbying to get Air New Zealand to provide a midweek flight from the Australian cities, especially during winter.
"Air access to Queenstown is a known barrier to Queenstown's tourism economy. East Coast Australia is Queenstown's major international market," Mr Boyd said in a statement.
"Increasing ease of access for domestic visitors during winter is also a long held goal, allowing Queenstown to compete on a more level playing field with North Island snow regions."
Mr Boyd said it was "heartening" to see Air New Zealand listening to the needs of visitors.
- NZPA
