Rotorua Airport takes off for Trans Tasman flights

More than 40 years after it first opened, Rotorua Airport is about to become an international airport, with the news that Air New Zealand will commence twice-weekly Trans Tasman flights to Sydney from December 12.

The announcement was made this morning.

Air New Zealand will fly A320 aircrafts from Sydney to Rotorua and return twice a week initially. The flights will operate on a Saturday-Monday service initially, moving to a Saturday-Tuesday service from February.

Rotorua Airport Chairman Neil Oppatt says the Airport is delighted to be working with New Zealand's national carrier on the new Trans Tasman service.

"Air New Zealand has been flying locals and visitors alike to and from Rotorua since the 1960s. We have always had a close relationship with the airline, and this is only strengthened by these developments."

Mr Oppatt says the announcement is a significant development for the local economy, community and relevant sectors, such as tourism, in Rotorua and the rest of the Central North Island.

"Tourism is already a key industry in our local and regional economy. It is estimated to contribute $250 million to our gross domestic product and provides more than 7000 jobs - more than a quarter of all jobs in the region.

"The introduction of Trans Tasman flights to Rotorua Airport is set to grow those figures, with the potential to contribute $6.75 and $12.3 million to the local economy over time."

Mr Oppatt says the benefits to the local area are far wider than those involved specifically in the tourism sector.

"More money in the sector means more money in the wider community. While our tourism operators are obviously working in the tourism sector, they are living in our community and they're spending money on professional services such as legal or accountancy services, groceries and right through to health services and schools. We all benefit.

"Our estimates indicate that the Trans Tasman flights will ultimately translate to an increased household income of between $1.8 and $12.3 million across the board, and potentially the creation of between 70 and 130 new jobs.

"In addition, it's not just the inbound tourism that is going to add value to our region, the outbound aspect is also important, with our residents now able to fly directly to Australia, without having to travel to Auckland first.

"This is an incredibly exciting development for Rotorua and the rest of the Central North Island - it's quite simply a win-win all around."

Rotorua Airport CEO George White says he is delighted the Airport's strategy has come to life with the Trans Tasman announcement today.

"We have been working towards this for nearly a decade. It has taken a while, but it has been important for us to get it right. We know we have the right airline on board for the best outcome for everyone involved," he says.

In the past two years, the Airport has seen a number of upgrades, including the development of a new international arrival and departure lounge, a resurfaced and lengthened runway (which is nearing completion), expanded and resealed carparks, border control offices and gateways and a cafe. These developments were made both to achieve Trans Tasman capability, but also to meet changing requirements for the Airport's domestic operation.

"This development obviously offers significant benefits for Rotorua, but it will also have significant flow-on effects for the wider Central North Island, including Tauranga, Whakatane, Taupo, Hawkes Bay and others. Rotorua Airport will be the gateway to the Central North Island," says Mr White.

"Australia is our largest source of international visitor arrivals, with more than 205,700 Australians visiting Rotorua in 2007. By the end of 2014, it is forecast that this number will be up to nearly 269,000.

"At the same time, our data shows that many of these visitors went to a number of central North Island destinations while they were here. In that year, nearly 142,000 Australian visitors also went to Taupo, 78,000 went to the Bay of Plenty and 41,000 went to Mt Ruapehu," says Mr White.

"Clearly this is already a very important market for us, and a direct link into Australia will make it even easier for Australians, and visitors from around the world connecting through Sydney, to access everything that the Central North Island has to offer.

"In just one easy step, these visitors will already be in the Central North Island, without needing to go through Auckland. They will have more time to spend in our regions, staying in our accommodation outlets, eating in our restaurants and playing in our region. The whole area stands to benefit significantly.

"This is a great start for Rotorua as a Trans Tasman airport."

Mr White says Rotorua and its Central North Island partners have always worked together in tourism under the Great New Zealand Touring Route banner, and the group is working closely to ensure the potential of the Trans Tasman capability is maximised.

"These developments are perfect timing with the Rugby World Cup taking place in New Zealand in 2011. There will be games and teams hosted across the wider region, and this puts us in an excellent position to be able to gain even greater value from this event."

Bookings for the first Trans Tasman flights are already open.

Rotorua Regional Airport Ltd is an independent trading company, which oversees and manages the running of the Airport and its services. The Rotorua District Council is its only shareholder. The Rotorua District Council owns the Airport's assets and infrastructure.

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