G’day mates - Hamilton Airport goes international with Aussies

Monday, 16 September 2024

Fly direct from Hamilton to Australia.

Juice cocktails, pavlovas and lamingtons were just the ticket for Hamilton Airport’s trans-Tasman celebrations.

On Monday morning, the airport foyer was turned into a beach scene with deck chairs, and beach umbrellas tempting potential travellers with what awaits them on the Gold Coast next year.

And they can do it from their backyard, with Hamilton going international from June 2025, just in time for school holidays.

Those catching flights out of the city early on Monday morning were treated to the celebrations, handed jet plane lollies and other sweet treats as the region’s mayors also joined the party.

Kev McTainsh was waiting on his flight to Christchurch when he heard the news, and is hoping he might be able to use it to visit family.

Kev McTainsh is looking forward to getting onboard Jetstar out of Hamilton next year.

“I think it’s good for the area, and better than travelling all the way to Auckland and jumping on a flight from there.“

He said it would be good if the ticket costs are the same as Auckland prices.

McTainsh said he did like Jetstar, especially the “economic” benefits of the airline.

Taupō National MP Louise Upston, heading to Wellington, welcomed the international connections announcement. She said it showed Waikato is a vibrant powerhouse, and was great news.

“It’s up to the locals to use it and to support Jetstar in putting these flights on across the ditch. I am looking forward to using it myself.”

Emily thought the early morning announcement was good news for the city.

Emily, who didn’t want her last name used, was also heading south and thought it was good news, although didn’t think she would use the flights.

“It’s very cool. It will be good for the economy of Hamilton..and really good for everyone else.”

Jet Park hotel manager Nick Juett said it’s exciting and a great opportunity for people to get out and explore new things.

“For us at the hotel, we can have more people coming through really enjoying that exotic excitement of going overseas.”

Jet Park hotel manager Nick Juett is excited by the opportunities which could come with the airport going international.

Juett used it himself some years ago when it was previously an international airport and believes it can be popular again.

“It was very sad it went, maybe it's use it or lose it. So for now, everybody, please, let's really step forward and enjoy this amazing opportunity that’s so easy.”

After months of speculation and more than a year of “solid grind” behind the scenes, Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said he could now reveal Jetstar will offer travellers three return flights a week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast, and four return flights a week between Hamilton and Sydney.

Jetstar will be flying Airbus A320s in and out of Hamilton (file photo).

Jetstar, the budget-friendly Qantas subsidiary, will be the first international carrier to fly out of Hamilton since Virgin Australia grounded its service 13 years ago, ending 18 years of trans-Tasman flights.

“It’s been hard, complex work, in a very sensitive commercial environment and we are thrilled to have pulled this off.

“The benefits for the entire region – not just passengers – are huge.

Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan, left, and Waikato Regional Airport Ltd chairperson Barry Harris said the deal took more than a year of negotiations.

“Analysis indicates the flights will boost the 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.”

Morgan said Jetstar flights will bring more than 100,000 extra passengers a year into Hamilton Airport, and lead to the creation of around 60 new airport-based jobs.

Hamilton Airport will now begin to refit its northern terminal in preparation for customs, border control, aviation security and other services for international flights.

Jetstar is luring Aussies to the region with promotions including the green and rolling hills of Hobbiton.

“We have most of the building services and fundamentals already in place following our seismic strengthening and refurbishment project completed in 2022.

“There is some work to do, but we did future-proof the building … so the work required is not major and will begin in November this year with no disruption to customers,” Morgan said.

Jetstar will use 188-seater Airbus A320 Neo aircraft on its routes, meaning there’s no need to change the runway to accommodate the new services.

Jetstar will also be flying to and from Dunedin and the Gold Coast.

“The fact we have been able to secure the two routes is also a real bonus … and we have comfortably more than a million people living within an hour’s drive from the airport.

“The fares will obviously be competitive with Jetstar being a budget airline, but I also think the convenience factors will be huge.”

Morgan said luring an airline to fly out of Hamilton was not easy.

Regional tourism in the Waikato is being promoted to Australians looking to holiday across the ditch.

“Airlines are the only organisations who make decisions on where they will fly into … so many things have to align.

“The economic story behind Hamilton over the last decade with its increased population, economic activity and economic wealth, coupled with the convenience factor means we are in a generational sweet spot - to see this all come together at this time makes perfect sense.”

Waikato Regional Airport Ltd is a council-controlled organisation which runs Hamilton Airport and chairperson Barry Harris said he was extraordinarily proud of what the team had achieved.

“There has been a lot of moving parts to this on both sides of the Tasman and it’s taken a lot to pull it together.

“Hamilton Airport is in good shape financially and that’s allowed us to identify opportunities and go after them.

“The resurrection of international fights is great for the airport but more importantly, it’s great for the wider region and for the travelling public.”

Jetstar Group chief executive Stephanie Tully said the airline was excited to expand its network in Aotearoa, also announcing it would be launching direct flights to the Gold Coast to and from Dunedin.

“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.

“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.”

Tully said to celebrate Monday’s news, Jetstar has launched a 24-hour route launch sale with fares available at Jetstar.com from midday.

Flights from Hamilton to Sydney will be offered from $130, and to the Gold Coast from from $139. Flights from Dunedin to the Gold Coast start from $155.

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism general manager Nicola Greenwell was jubilant.

“This is fantastic news, brilliant. Australian visitors already account for 19% of our international visitor spend in the region.

“Now, with direct flights into Hamilton Kirikiriroa we become even more accessible and this is fantastic news for the mighty Waikato, for the central North Island and beyond,” Greenwell said.

“This, on top of the recent announcement of two new hotels for Kirikiriroa, means the future of the visitor sector for our region is bright,” Greenwell said.

Jetstar will become the fourth airline to use Hamilton Airport for scheduled flights and joins Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair on the airport’s tarmac.