Frustration as Air New Zealand scraps red eye flights between Queenstown and Christchurch

Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Early morning flights from Queenstown to Christchurch are being discontinued from next week. (File photo)

Air New Zealand’s early morning flights from Queenstown to Christchurch end next week, sparking frustration for locals and travellers.

The changes will make it unlikely people, including those requiring medical appointments, could return in a day and therefore have to stay overnight instead.

Queenstown Lakes mayor Glyn Lewers expressed disappointment over the changes, calling them “bruising” for the local economy and business connectivity.

Air New Zealand ATR aircraft will replace some jet services in the regions, reducing capacity.

“High-net-worth individuals and board directors based here may opt to do more business locally instead of sharing the love with the rest of New Zealand,” Lewers said.

Currently, the earliest flights depart Queenstown at 7am or 7.20am. From Monday, the earliest flight will leave at 8.15am and take an extra 15 minutes, landing in Christchurch at 9.30am; and from March 10, the first flight will leave at 8.55am.

There will also be no early flights from Queenstown to Christchurch on Saturdays (there is already no early Sunday flight).

Consumer NZ says domestic airfares have risen almost 300 percent in recent times.

Morning departures from Christchurch are scheduled for 6.30am, 7.10am (starting from March 10), and 8.40am.

The latest departure from Christchurch is scheduled for 3.05pm between January 20 and February 16. From February 17, the latest flights from Christchurch to Queenstown will depart between 2.25pm and 3.05pm. Currently, the latest departure from Christchurch to Queenstown is scheduled for 7.35pm, operating five days a week.

The airline attributed the changes to the switch from A320 jets to smaller ATR aircraft, which are limited to daylight operations at Queenstown Airport.

“ATRs are better suited to the market size but cannot operate in darkness. Softer demand for early flights meant the jets were not viable for these routes,” the spokesperson said.

Queenstown Lakes mayor Glyn Lewers is disappointed by Air New Zealand’s changes.

The aircraft change reduces capacity by more than 100 seats per flight.

Air New Zealand said rising operating costs and reduced demand — particularly among corporate and government customers — made the changes necessary.

“As a result, we've made some changes to our services in the areas where we are seeing the most impact from less flying,” the spokesperson said.

Queenstown Chamber of Business chief executive Sharon Fifield says local business owners are concerned by Air New Zealand’s reduced services to Queenstown.

Lewers said the cuts, including the removal of direct Invercargill to Wellington flights, would disrupt business efficiency and reduce opportunities for in-person meetings.

“I’ve had feedback from local residents that it disrupts plans for those with medical appointments in Christchurch, which could have been conducted in a day.”

Sharon Fifield, chief executive of the Queenstown Chamber of Business, said while local businesses had raised concerns, the full impact of the cuts would become clear only once customers tried to book flights.

Queenstown had strong business ties with both Christchurch and Wellington, and many business commuters relied on the early morning jet service, she said.

The airline says rising operating costs and reduced demand have made schedule changes necessary.

Fifield said the cuts would “complicate travel, making same-day return trips nearly impossible”, which would have a significant effect on productivity and collaboration.

“Maintaining connectivity between these regions is crucial, especially with Queenstown’s rapid growth,” she said.

“Air New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting our economy, and we hope these services are reinstated soon to help local businesses thrive.”

The airline spokesperson said there were alternatives for passengers, including multiple options for same-day return trips for Christchurch travellers.

Air New Zealand continuously reviewed schedules to meet demand, the spokesperson said, but did not indicate plans for new scheduling options to restore early-morning services.

“These changes are in response to market dynamics on this route.”

The cuts are not limited to the Christchurch-Queenstown route.

From January 19, the airline would no longer fly its Invercargill to Wellington service. Engine issues and softened demand were to blame, it said.

The Dunedin to Wellington service would be downsized from a jet to a turboprop, and there would be three fewer flights a week between Christchurch and New Plymouth.