Summer flight capacity to be doubled

BY SHANE COWLISHAW

Queenstown will be inundated with Australian tourists next summer after Air New Zealand announced yesterday it will almost double its seat capacity into the resort.

Speaking to The Southland Times at the Trenz Tourism Industry Rendezvous in Auckland yesterday, the national carrier's deputy chief executive Norm Thompson singled out Queenstown as a trans-Tasman route that would receive a large summer boost.

Since introducing the first direct trans-Tasman flights into Queenstown last summer there had been continued growth despite the recession. This meant the airline had the confidence to increase the number of flights, beginning in December, with an 88 per cent capacity boost expected, he said.

The average number of flights for the summer period will now be 4.5 a week, up from 2.6 last year.

The announcement comes after the airline increased its winter flights from Australia to 13 a week.

Queenstown was the perfect destination as it was already prepared for extra growth and had a range of accommodation options from backpackers to first class, Mr Thompson said.

"We wouldn't do it if we didn't have the confidence. We've got a lot of confidence in Queenstown because it's such a fantastic destination," he said.

While Australian tourists were the main target, the added flights would also make it possible for long-haul travellers to fly straight into Queenstown instead of Auckland or Christchurch, he said.

Queenstown Airport chief executive Steve Sanderson said it was obviously great news and continued the support from the airline.

He would not confirm whether the airport was in discussions with other airlines to also increase their number of flights, citing confidentiality.

Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said the news was great for Queenstown as it attempted to establish itself as a four-season resort. "It's fantastic news. We've had great support from Air New Zealand with the ski season and now we're seeing that momentum continue," he said.

Mr Everitt was hopeful the announcement early in the conference would boost interest in the Queenstown section of booths.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar said it was great news for the region and the country. Air New Zealand had invested heavily in the market and had seen a return so it was a natural fit to increase capacity, he said.

Queenstown Chamber of Commerce president Alastair Porter said it was excellent news for the business community. "The chamber is confident Queenstown has much to offer the Australian market in summer," he said.

Air New Zealand also announced increased capacities on its routes to San Francisco, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Japan.

SUMMER FLIGHTS INTO QUEENSTOWN

Sydney to Queenstown – three flights a week mid-December to January, two flights February to March.

Brisbane to Queenstown – two flights a week mid-December to January, one flight February to March.

Melbourne to Queenstown – two flights a week mid-December to January.

- © Fairfax NZ News