New trans-Tasman flights added to Rotorua/Sydney schedule

Rotorua’s trans-Tasman flights are taking off with Air New Zealand adding seven Thursday services to its Rotorua-Sydney schedule over the peak summer months.

The Thursday flights will be included in the flight schedule from 20 December to 31 January and are in addition to the existing Tuesday and Saturday Sydney to Rotorua return flights.

The new Thursday flights follow the announcement late last year that jet services will return to Rotorua, with Air New Zealand flying a Boeing 737 between Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown six days a week from November.

Rotorua International Airport chief executive, George White, says the Airport team is delighted with the additional trans-Tasman flights, which reflect a significant amount of work to promote the flights. He says it shows the increase in demand for flights to Rotorua and Central Park as a holiday destination.

“Ever since the first flight landed in December 2009, our goal has been to increase the number of trans-Tasman flights between Rotorua and Sydney. The addition of the Thursday services over the busy summer period is an exciting development for the Airport and the local tourism industry,” says Mr White.

Mr White says while a number of passengers travel between Sydney and Rotorua during the summer period for family reasons as they celebrate the festive season, many others are simply choosing to spend their summer break in Rotorua and the wider Central Park region.

“The Bay of Plenty has a reputation as a summer mecca with its beaches, fishing and New Years’ festivities, while others are attracted to the world-class mountain biking on offer in Rotorua’s backyard, tramping in National Park, or the region’s cultural and gourmet attractions.

“There are also a number of internationally-renowned events taking place during this period, and our visitors are making the most of getting to Rotorua and Central Park quicker and faster by flying direct.”

Mr White says work is already underway to promote the additional summer flights

“The summer is shaping up to be an exciting period for the Airport and the local Rotorua community with the additional trans-Tasman flights and the resumption of jet services between Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown.”