Garden City awaits with Jetstar flights from Hamilton

Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Christchurch Airport will be Jetstar’s new destination out of Hamilton with a daily jet service starting from December 1.

Jetstar will launch its first domestic service out of Hamilton with daily direct flights to and from the Garden City of Christchurch from December 1.

It’s the first time Jetstar has operated a domestic route out of Hamilton, and the first time two airlines will fly competing jet services on the same domestic route with Air New Zealand about to start its own Hamilton to Christchurch service on September 18.

Hamilton Airport acting chief executive Ben Langley said both services will fuel regional growth and be a welcome boost to the Waikato economy.

Acting Hamilton Airport chief executive Ben Langley says the two new jet services to Christchurch will boost annual passenger numbers by 60%.

He said the new Jetstar service will deliver 186 extra seats each way, every day, adding 100,000-plus more passengers annually, lifting the airport’s total passenger count to more than half a million travellers each year.

The Air NZ service will operate five days a week seeing the return of domestic jets to Hamilton for the first time in 25 years.

“The addition of the Jetstar and Air NZ domestic jet flights boosts passenger numbers coming through the airport by around 60%,” Langley said.

“That’s massive. More flights mean more jobs, more visitors, and faster connections for business.

Airport officials say upgrades built for its international service to Australia has helped bring domestic jet flights back to the region.

“It’s a big vote of confidence in our region and in our airport.”

Langley said recent investments, including a new domestic lounge and expanded jet parking, done as part of a wider terminal refurbishment to enable international flights, paved the way for the new domestic jet services.

Jetstar, the Qantas-owned budget airline, launched international flights from Hamilton to the Gold Coast and Sydney in June this year, offering flights every day of the week.

Air New Zealand will begin operating its five-day-a-week Hamilton to Christchurch flights later this month, in direct competition with Jetstar.

Jetstar will use Airbus A320 aircraft on its Hamilton-Christchurch route, the same aircraft as Air NZ.

Flights will arrive in Hamilton from Christchurch at 9.25am and depart for Christchurch at 10am.

Langley said it was always the plan to create domestic jet opportunities on the back of the airport securing an international airline.

“Our strong focus was on getting the international Jetstar service up and running.

“We knew we had unlocked further growth potential but it’s fair to say the confirmation of domestic Jetstar flights out of Hamilton has come faster than we anticipated.

“The confidence shown by both Air New Zealand and Jetstar reinforces Hamilton’s role as a key regional hub and will give travellers more choice, more comfort, and faster travel.”

He would not comment on potential airline ticket prices but noted “competition is usually very good for customers”.

Nor would he comment on whether or not Hamilton Airport is talking specifically to any other airlines, including international carriers.

“We’re being proactive in that space and are working hard to sell Hamilton Airport as a very good business proposition. Our focus has been on creating an environment which gives airlines confidence, and we’re doing that.”