Extra Air NZ flights to Wanaka, Invercargill

Air New Zealand is to fly daily direct from Christchurch to Wanaka. The one-hour, $152 return flights will be available from March 19.

The airline has also announced an extra Christchurch to Invercargill service on Friday evenings from January 23. At present it operates 40 return flights a week between the cities.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes said the new link would be "of vital importance" to the 5000-strong Wanaka township.

The 19-seater Beech 1900D will be flown by Air NZ subsidiary Eagle Air.

Air NZ managing director Ralph Norris said the new Wanaka route was viable because of significant growth in the region and a 44 per cent leap in domestic air travel since its Express Class fares were introduced.

Since the cut-price Express service was launched in November last year demand for flights to Queenstown had increased 21 per cent.