Hamilton Back On International Radar
Jetstar flight JQ165 from Sydney will touch down in Hamilton around 11.15am today before the A320 aircraft reloads and takes passengers back to Sydney. From today, Jetstar will operate seven trans-Tasman services per week out of Hamilton: three return flights to and from the Gold Coast, and four return flights between Hamilton and Sydney.
Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan, who was on the inaugural flight from Sydney this morning, said the team behind the rebirth of Hamilton's international airport were 'exhausted but ecstatic'.
'This is a huge day, it's momentous. It's been almost 13 years since Hamilton was an international airport. That's a long time between drinks, but we are absolutely ready to go. These new Jetstar services reconnect the Waikato directly with Australia and the world. We couldn't be prouder, or more excited to put Hamilton back on an international flight path.'
Morgan said the Jetstar flights will add capacity for more than 100,000 international passengers each year and pour an extra $45 million annually into the Waikato economy. More than 60 new airport-based jobs have already been created and the tourism spend is expected to open the door for around 300 new jobs.
'This is much more than just a boost in Australian visitors, or more families and businesses finding it easier and cheaper to connect across the Tasman. It's about real dollars in people's pockets,' Morgan said.
'Jetstar's arrival in Hamiton creates a new, international gateway to the North Island – one that brings people directly into the Mighty Waikato. It gives New Zealanders easy, convenient access to the eastern seaboard of Australia, and from there to the wider world.'
Since Jetstar's announcement in September last year, the airport team had worked like incredibly hard, he said.
'We have developed a world-class international terminal, new car park facilities and delivered on a mountain of border agency requirements while still running a domestic airport without any passenger disruption. It's been intense and at times, exhausting, but what a privilege to be part of something that will turn the dial for Hamilton and the Waikato.'
Morgan acknowledged the work from multiple agencies.
'This project has been a true collaboration. We've worked alongside the Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Customs, Avsec, Immigration New Zealand, police, health services and many others to ensure the airport is fully compliant and ready to operate. It's been a huge job for the border agencies. They've worked tirelessly to help us deliver.'
Morgan also acknowledged the leadership from his Board of Directors.
'Nothing very good happens without strong governance. They backed us when we first took the Jetstar proposal to them and have backed us every day since. For a chief executive, that's gold.'
Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully said it was exciting to be further expanding Jetstar's New Zealand network.
'This year, we're celebrating 20 years of international flying from New Zealand and 16 years of domestic operations - transforming the country's aviation industry along the way. We're excited to bring international travel back to Hamilton with new direct flights from Sydney and the Gold Coast, offering more low-cost options and exciting new destinations for Kiwis and Aussies.'
'We know Kiwi travellers love our low fares and see huge potential for even more growth in the future.'
Morgan thanked his Hamilton Airport team for making today happen.
'The efforts made to get this across the line and deliver something we can all be proud of have been extraordinary. We know what this means to our wider community and have felt a real responsibility to deliver. Today we have.'
Note:
WRAL (Waikato Regional Airport Ltd) is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton City, Otorohanga, Waipā, Waikato and Matamata-Piako District Councils and is the umbrella for subsidiary companies Hamilton Airport, Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism (HWT) and Titanium Park Limited.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
7 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
PM wants NZ to get behind development, progress
By Giles Dexter of RNZ National leader Christopher Luxon has told the party's annual conference that the country needs to "say yes" more. Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch, Luxon bemoaned "activists" who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines. "If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way." Opposition parties have heavily criticised the government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who moved to Australia last year, but Luxon said the opposition would make it worse. "Take a look at Australia," he said. "If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch." Luxon's speech came hot on the heels of an announcement from the United States that it would increase tariffs to 15 percent. Still digesting the announcement and what it would mean for New Zealand exporters, Luxon acknowledged "challenging" global conditions. "We can't just batten down the hatches and hope for the best," he said. Luxon's speech made no mention of National's coalition partners, New Zealand First or ACT, or even the word 'coalition' itself, although deputy Nicola Willis acknowledged the "energy" it took to keep Winston Peters and David Seymour under control. Instead, Luxon's speech was heavy on shoutouts to his National ministers and their policies, and also on blaming the previous government for the cost-of-living struggles New Zealanders currently faced. "In the years to come, immediate action on the cost of living isn't enough," he said. "The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter. "We have to keep our eyes on the prize." Echoing his speech at Monday's post-cabinet press conference, Luxon leaned on the economic policies the government had introduced, such as tax changes, FamilyBoost and the removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax. "We're doing what we can," he said. The speech contained an announcement the government would make it easier to get a concession on Department of Conservation land. "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." There would still be restrictions on some parts of the DOC estate. "Where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster - instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty," Luxon said. Charges of $20-40 for foreign visitors to high-volume sites like Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook were being introduced, but New Zealanders would be exempt from the fees. Party president Sylvia Wood, who was re-elected at the conference, said the party would select candidates for the 2026 election shortly.
Otago Daily Times
7 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
PM wants NZ to stem tide of Kiwis leaving for Oz
By Giles Dexter of RNZ National leader Christopher Luxon has told the party's annual conference that the country needs to "say yes" more. Addressing about 550 delegates, MPs and supporters at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch, Luxon bemoaned "activists" who opposed housing developments, agriculture, cruise ships and mines. "If we're serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can't afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way." Opposition parties have heavily criticised the government for its economic policies and laid the blame at its feet for the 30,000 New Zealanders who moved to Australia last year, but Luxon said the opposition would make it worse. "Take a look at Australia," he said. "If they shut down their mining industry or their energy industry tomorrow, as Labour and the Greens want to do here, I guarantee you would see fewer Kiwis moving across the ditch." Luxon's speech came hot on the heels of an announcement from the United States that it would increase tariffs to 15 percent. Still digesting the announcement and what it would mean for New Zealand exporters, Luxon acknowledged "challenging" global conditions. "We can't just batten down the hatches and hope for the best," he said. Luxon's speech made no mention of National's coalition partners, New Zealand First or ACT, or even the word 'coalition' itself, although deputy Nicola Willis acknowledged the "energy" it took to keep Winston Peters and David Seymour under control. Instead, Luxon's speech was heavy on shoutouts to his National ministers and their policies, and also on blaming the previous government for the cost-of-living struggles New Zealanders currently faced. "In the years to come, immediate action on the cost of living isn't enough," he said. "The last government spent billions of dollars in failed handouts, only to watch inflation roar and the economy falter. "We have to keep our eyes on the prize." Echoing his speech at Monday's post-cabinet press conference, Luxon leaned on the economic policies the government had introduced, such as tax changes, FamilyBoost and the removal of the Auckland Fuel Tax. "We're doing what we can," he said. The speech contained an announcement the government would make it easier to get a concession on Department of Conservation land. "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." There would still be restrictions on some parts of the DOC estate. "Where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster - instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty," Luxon said. Charges of $20-40 for foreign visitors to high-volume sites like Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, and Aoraki Mount Cook were being introduced, but New Zealanders would be exempt from the fees. Party president Sylvia Wood, who was re-elected at the conference, said the party would select candidates for the 2026 election shortly.
1News
11 hours ago
- 1News
Govt announces foreign visitor charges at popular DOC sites
Foreign visitors will soon need to pay a charge to access some of New Zealand's most famous tourist destinations on conservation land, the Government announced today. It was also announced that concessions would be widened to allow for more business activity on conservation land. The charges announced today would mean foreign tourists visiting Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook would need to pay between $20 and $40 per person. New Zealanders would not be charged for access. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said foreigners made up 80% of all visitors at the destinations. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT He estimated the charges could make up to $62 million a year in revenue, which would be directly reinvested into those same areas. 'Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change," Potaka said. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said sites that were "truly special" to Kiwis needed to be protected, and said the charges would give the Department of Conservation more support. "But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. File photo. (Source: Getty) Luxon said it would create more economic opportunities out of underutilised Department of Conservation land. The charge would be similar to the cost of admission for international visitors to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where an adult currently paid $32 and child, aged between five and 15, paid $16. ADVERTISEMENT Alongside the charges, the Government also announced widening concessions, for businesses to operate on conservation land. Aoraki / Mount Cook along the Hooker Valley Track on a sunny day in the South Island. (Source: "We're going to fix the Conservation Act to unlock more economic activity through concessions – like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure, in locations where that makes sense," Luxon said "That means more certainty for businesses, less bureaucracy, and much faster decisions, so the businesses that should be operating can get up and running." Luxon said there would still be restrictions to protect the natural environment. "Of course it won't make sense for businesses to be operating on every part of the DOC estate," he said. "But where it does make sense, we need to get to the 'yes' much faster – instead of being bogged down in process and uncertainty." Tourist enjoying views of upper Clinton valley on Milford Track. (Source: Luxon said the current concessions scheme was "totally broken", saying it often took years to obtain or renew, "leaving businesses in a cycle of bureaucratic limbo". 'Outdated rules mean we've got examples of modern e-bike users being turned away from potential touring opportunities because they have to be considered as proper vehicles. "And tourism on the Routeburn is being held up because the trail crosses artificial boundaries, with different rules and different limits."
