We have touchdown! Flying start to Jetstar’s new Hamilton services

Tuesday, 17 June 2025

The first Jetstar flight from Sydney touched down at Hamilton Airport on Monday, with those at the airport saying the new location makes air travel easier.

Jetstar’s new transtasman services into and out of Hamilton got off to a proverbial and literal flying start on Monday as the airline’s A320 aircraft arrived from Sydney to clear, sunny weather.

The flight was greeted by a buzzing and crowded airport, with both inbound and outbound passengers praising the new flights which will be to and from Sydney (four days a week) and the Gold Coast (three days a week).

The arrival marks the first time Hamilton has handled international commercial flights in almost 13 years. The return flight left on time about an hour later.

Hamilton has been spending millions to get ready and Jetstar’s chief executive Stephanie Tully said the airline was “absolutely” committed to its new partnership with the airport for the long haul.

Touchdown - the first Jetstar flight from Sydney lands at Hamilton Airport on Monday.

Michael Roberts, a Wollongong-based regular traveller to and from Rotorua, is welcoming the convenience of flying in and out of Hamilton.

Outbound Wollongong-based Jetstar passenger Michael Roberts, who regularly visits his wife and children in Rotorua, said the new Hamilton-based service would be far more convenient.

Hamiltonians Mark Docherty and Sandra Docherty were flying to Sydney on the new service, saying they’re very keen to support it.

“We used to travel to Auckland in the early hours to get there in time for a flight to Sydney on Jetstar”, leaving at 6am.

“Now, mate, this is the best, this is unreal.”

Hemi Waerea from Rotorua was catching the first Jetstar flight from Hamilton to Sydney, saying the new service saves the hassle of going to Auckland to fly out.

Hamilton couple Mark and Sandra Docherty were off to Sydney for a “mini-break” but also to show support for the new service.

Cambridge student Maddi Bull was off to Sydney for a holiday.

“If we don’t support it we’ll end up flying out of Auckland again.”

They were also set to go on a Jetstar flight from Hamilton to the Gold Coast next month.

Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard thinks the new services will be good for Waikato’s economy.

Rotorua’s Hemi Waerea was off to Sydney for a holiday after not having gone overseas for a while.

“[Hamilton’s] just an hour away rather than the hassle of going to Auckland.”

Hamilton aviation enthusiast Mark Persson thinks the new Jetstar services will be great for Hamilton.

University student Maddi Bull from Cambridge was off to see her aunt and have a holiday.

Councillor Ewan Wilson thinks the new services are “wonderful”.

“It’s really handy, it’s really nice, so much better than driving to Auckland.”

Her mum Di Bull was also intending to use the new service. “We’ve got family in Sydney and the Gold Coast so it’s going to be awesome.”

At the airport, Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard said of the new service: “I think it’s good for the regional economy and for transport into the regions.”

Peter Fogwell and wife Gina Fogwell are strongly welcoming new direct flights into Hamilton where Gina’s mother lives.

He felt “the more competition for routes in and out the better” and that growing populations in Hamilton and Tauranga would use the new service.

It was also a great way for Australians to access Waikato attractions.

Sydney-based Ian Harrison and partner Emilie Susanto welcomed how the new service makes it easier to visit Harrison’s family in Tauranga.

Hamilton aviation enthusiast Mark Persson was avidly tracking the inbound flight on a flight tracker app.

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully and Hamilton Airport CEO Mark Morgan hit the tarmac in Hamilton.

“I think [the new services are] going to be great for Hamilton.”

Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully says the airline is very committed to Hamilton as a destination.

Awaiting touchdown, city council economic development committee and founder of the former Kiwi International airline, Ewan Wilson, was also enthusiastic about Jetstar.

“Hamilton, I think, will embrace it and I encourage [people] to use the service.”

He felt the recent closure of Jetstar Asia could see even more transtasman flights by the airline.

The first passenger through the arrivals gate, Sydney-based dual NZ-Australia national Nicholas Dye, was visiting family in Matamata and Cambridge, something he does regularly. He would fly Jetstar to Hamilton again because “it’s convenient”.

On the ground after arrival in Hamilton - from left, Waipā mayor Susan O'Regan, Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate, Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan, Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard, Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully and airline executive commercial manager Lyle Brownscombe.

Australian Peter Fogwell and his New Zealander wife Gina from Bermagui in New South Wales, were met by Gina’s Hamilton-based mum Jan Watson.

Peter Fogwell loved the fact it was a direct flight and the new service would make it easier to visit Hamilton in future.

Said Watson: “Usually I have to drive to Auckland to pick them up or they get a hire car.”

A sign of Hamilton’s new international status - Eddie and explosive detector dog handler Caroline Ashley, from the Civil Aviation Authority, were kept busy ahead of Monday’s first outward bound flight to Sydney.

Sydney-based New Zealander Ian Harrison and his Indonesian partner Emilie Susanto were heading to see family in Tauranga.

They chose Jetstar’s new service because it was “very convenient, quick and easy and better for a swift trip to Tauranga” after landing, said Harrison.

Jetstar hasn’t disclosed passenger numbers but chief executive Tully said on arrival that “we had a good load factor on today’s flight and when we look forward to July-August we can seen really positive build happening”.

She didn’t think Jetstar’s 6.15am Australian departure times would dampen demand for Hamilton-bound flights.

“You go to Europe, people leave all through the night so to leave at 6am is not a big deal at all.”

The airport company has said previously the revamp of the airport to handle renewed international flights will cost up to $7 million.

Asked whether Jetstar was committed to keep flying into Hamilton, given the funding and effort involved in getting it ready, Tully said: “Absolutely…we’re here for the long run.”

Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the revamp’s final costing was expected in a few weeks. “We’re comfortable with where that’s sitting.”

Asked about getting a good return on investment, he said a study indicated it would lead to $45 million in annual regional economic benefits, with 360 new jobs - 60 at the airport itself.

“So I think when you annualise that over many years to come it’s almost cheap at the price.”

The airport is owned by the Hamilton, Waikato District, Waipā, Matamata-Piako and Otorohanga councils.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate and Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan travelled to Sydney at the airport’s expense to catch the inaugural flight back at Jetstar’s expense to be part of the event. They paid for their own accommodation in Sydney.

Southgate said the new service was “excellent for a big city like Hamilton” while O’Regan said: “For the whole of the Waikato it’s a great shot in the arm we need right now.”