Air New Zealand will introduce a direct jet service between Hamilton Airport and Queenstown Airport starting in late June 2027. The route will operate year-round with three return flights weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Air New Zealand will use 171-seat Airbus A320 aircraft for this service.
Airport executives and regional benefits
Mark Morgan, chief executive of Hamilton Airport, emphasized that the new connection benefits the wider central North Island region. Shane O’Hare, Queenstown Airport chief executive, welcomed the opportunities the service would create for tourism and business between the cities.
Return of jet services to Hamilton and improved regional connectivity
Domestic jet flights returned to Hamilton in September 2025 after a 25-year hiatus when
Air New Zealand resumed the Christchurch-Hamilton route. The new Hamilton-Queenstown service expands direct travel options for Waikato residents ahead of the busy winter tourism season.
Air New Zealand’s international expansion in 2027 supported by new Dreamliners
Alongside domestic growth, Air New Zealand plans to increase international capacity by 4% during the Northern Hemisphere summer of 2027, from March 28 to October 23. This includes an increase from seven to nine weekly flights between Auckland and Vancouver in July 2027, daily services to Shanghai in April, July, and September/October 2027, and a rise to five weekly flights to Taipei from late September 2027. Up to five weekly flights between Auckland and Papeete
in July and August 2027 and daily Auckland-Houston flights starting September 2027 with Dreamliners also form part of the expansion. The Christchurch to Singapore route will operate three times a week year-round. This expansion is enabled by four new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, two of which have already arrived.
Demand-driven service launch and benefits for tourism and trade
Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the Hamilton-Queenstown route reflects strong travel demand and improves regional connectivity. “For Waikato travellers, it means a direct flight to Queenstown for a winter getaway or a long weekend. It also gives visitors to Queenstown another way to explore New Zealand, including the Waikato’s
iconic attractions.” Scott Wilkinson, Air New Zealand chief commercial officer, said, “More seats mean more visitors supporting our tourism industry, more connections for Kiwi businesses and exporters, and more opportunities to bring people and products to and from our shores.”
