Jetstar launches trans-Tasman flights from Dunedin, Hamilton
Monday, 16 September 2024
Dunedin and Hamilton are to get international Jetstar flights.
The new routes are to the Gold Coast and Sydney.
It’s the first time Hamilton has had an international flight in 13 years.
It’s one of the worst kept secrets in aviation - but Jetstar has confirmed three new trans-Tasman routes from Dunedin and Hamilton.
The new routes take off from Hamilton to the Gold Coast and Sydney, and from Dunedin to the Gold Coast from June 2025.
It’ll be the first international flights from Hamilton in 13 years, when Virgin Australia stopped flying. Dunedin hasn’t had an international flight since 2020.
The announcement signifies a major expansion for Jetstar into New Zealand, with the airline saying it unlocks “more than 190,000 new low fare seats every year and injecting millions of dollars into the country’s tourism economy.”
Jetstar accidentally teased the Dunedin trans-Tasman flights in August, when a promo teaser briefly appeared on Dunedin Airport’s Facebook page.
It was headlined ‘Direct flights across the ditch are back’ and said Jetstar would operate the route between Dunedin and the Gold Coast from June next year, but was promptly taken down soon after.
Dunedin’s last international flight, a Virgin Australia service to Brisbane, was suspended in 2020 due to the global pandemic but never resumed.
Meanwhile, eagle eyed aviation spotters noticed last week that Hamilton had been added to the list of departure airports on Jetstar’s booking platform on its website.
Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said the airline was excited to be further expanding its network in Aotearoa.
“We’re in a period of unparalleled growth for Jetstar in New Zealand, launching five new routes in the past three months and providing greater low-fares connections to key regions across the country,” said Tully.
“As the country’s only low-cost airline, Jetstar provides critical competition in New Zealand and helps keep travel affordable for Kiwis, with one million domestic fares selling for less than $100 in the past year alone.”
The new services will take off from Hamilton and Dunedin operated using Jetstar’s fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.
Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono said the return of the international flights is a result of five years of hard work.
“We know how much our community - and everyone in the lower South Island - wanted this, and we are incredibly proud and excited to announce this new service today.
“We would also like to extend our thanks to the teams at Gold Coast Airport and Jetstar, for your commitment to bringing this route to Dunedin.
De Bono had been in Australia earlier this year for talks with airports and airline representatives. At the time, he told Stuff “I'm still really optimistic we're going to get this deal done.”
Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said he was thrilled to welcome Jetstar to Hamilton.
“The benefits for the entire region – not just passengers – are huge. Analysis indicates the flights will boost our regional economy by about $45 million per year. That’s fantastic for everyone; this is not just about the airport, it’s a great day for the region.
“The Jetstar flights will see over 100,000 more passengers per year using Hamilton Airport, some for business and some on holiday, leading to the creation of around 60 new airport-based jobs.”
Flight JQ190 will depart Dunedin for the Gold Coast on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 3.45pm from June 24, 2025, arriving in Australia at 5.25pm local time.
Hamilton’s flights to the Gold Coast will depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12.30pm, arriving in Queensland at 2.20pm from June 18. Flights to Sydney will begin on June 16 and operate four times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday departing at 12.05pm on JQ166.
To mark the launch, Jetstar has launched a 24-hour sale from 12pm, including Hamilton to Sydney from $130, Hamilton to the Gold Coast from $139 and Dunedin to the Gold Coast from $155.