Qantas Adds Extra 110 Trans-Tasman Flights

11th Aug 2015

Following Virgin's example, another Australian carrier, Qantas Airways, is adding more flights to its New Zealand routes. Between December this year, and February next one, the Australian airline will bring 110 extra trans-Tasman flights as a way to meet the demand during the holiday season.

Qantas will add 48 return flights between Brisbane and Christchurch, 36 return services between Brisbane and Wellington and 15 seasonal flights from Sydney to Christchurch and Queenstown.

Stephen Thompson, Executive Manager for International Affairs at Qantas said that the extra services are a part of the carrier's strategy of being more responsible to demand patterns.

He said: "A key part of our strategy is listening to and responding to our customers' needs and developing and agile and flexible network which offers more options during peak periods."

Justin Watson, Chief Commercial Officer at Christchurch Airport said the additional services will help meet the demand for the South Island that is coming from Australia.

Watson said: "Last year we had almost 60,000 visitors from Queensland fly into the South Island via Christchurch, which was 5.6 per cent more than the previous year, so there is no doubt the demand is there and growing. Qantas hasn't flown between Christchurch and Brisbane for 10 years, so the return service offers travellers competition and choices."

He continued: "Importantly, it also offers a very strong one-stop international connection between Japan and the South Island through Brisbane. We encourage tourism operators to make the most of this connection to ensure this service grows"

Watson finished by saying:

"Any way you look at these extra services, they are a massive vote of confidence by Qantas in the market between Queensland, Japan and the South Island and they mean good news for every region in the South Island."

A week before Qantas, another Australian airline, Virgin Australia, has also decided to add more flights to and from New Zealand. VA has added flights between Melbourne and Christchurch as well as between Brisbane and Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington.