
Air New Zealand says it'll add 36,000 domestic winter and spring flights
Air New Zealand says it will add more seats to flights departing Auckland to three domestic destinations this winter.
The airline said it would add 36,000 seats on flights to Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Some of these routes will use Airbus A321s from June 28 to October 25, instead of

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RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Air NZ to start flights to new Western Sydney airport by mid-2027
Western Sydney International Airport. Photo: Western Sydney Airport Air New Zealand has penned an agreement to start flights to the new Western Sydney International Airport from mid-2027. It will become the first trans-Tasman airline to sign up for flights to the new airport, due to open in early 2026. The initial route will connect Auckland and Western Sydney, but is subject to aircraft availability. The airline said the new route would complement Air New Zealand's existing services to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said the airport "represents an exciting step forward" for Australia's aviation sector. "We're delighted to be the first trans-Tasman carrier to signal our intent to operate there as we continue to grow," he said. As opposed to Kingsford Smith Airport, Western Sydney International Airport would operate 24-hours a day without curfews. WSI chief executive Simon Hickey said "this new strategic partnership, supported by the Western Sydney International Take-off Fund, will connect one of Australia's most diverse and fastest growing regions - Western Sydney - with New Zealand's largest city and main holiday gateway." The Take-Off Fund is a New South Wales state government initiative which offers incentives such as cost-offsetting, marketing and operational support to encourage airlines to create new routes to the airport. The state's Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper, said the airport was "getting ready for take-off". "This is the first new route secured through the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, and a route that I am sure will no doubt be very popular," Kamper said. Air New Zealand recently launched a Christchurch-Adelaide route as part of its Tasman growth strategy. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

1News
2 hours ago
- 1News
Air New Zealand to operate from new Sydney international airport
Air New Zealand has confirmed it will operate flights from the new Western Sydney International Airport. Major construction at the site, 44km from Sydney's CBD, is now complete with the terminal unveiled on Wednesday. Western Sydney International chief executive Simon Hickey said the "24-hour international gateway" terminal would create "significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney". New Zealand's national carrier planned to begin operations in 2027, contingent on aircraft availability and passenger demand. Qantas, Jetstar, and Singapore Airlines had already signalled their intent to operate from the new airport. ADVERTISEMENT At Sydney Airport in Mascot, more than 50 airlines fly in and out, the vast majority being overseas carriers. Inside the new terminal for Western Sydney. (Source: Supplied) Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said the new airport represented an 'exciting step forward' for Australian aviation. "We're delighted to be the first trans-Tasman carrier to signal our intent to operate there as we continue to grow." He said the route signalled Air New Zealand's commitment to stronger connections between New Zealand and Australia. "We're looking forward to offering customers our world-class Air New Zealand service to and from a world-class new airport." Public transport delays ADVERTISEMENT The Western Sydney Airport Metro Line, linking the new aviation precinct to Sydney's public transport network, has been delayed with visitors unable to use the service until at least April 2027. "Major projects like these are inherently complex and this project has faced impacts due to industrial relations and supply chain disruption," a Sydney Metro spokesperson told ABC News. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also acknowledged the delay. "It is true that not everything will be operating on day one, but a lot of work has been done and considerable investment to ensure this airport is accessible."

RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Western Sydney International Airport unveiled ahead of opening, Air NZ to use
By Isabella Ross , ABC Air New Zealand is just the second overseas carrier to confirm it will fly into Western Sydney International Airport. Photo: ABC / Supplied / Multiplex Despite Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) being close to completion, two obstacles remain, including just how many airline carriers are willing to fly into the precinct, 44 kilometres from the city's CBD. Major construction is now complete, with the terminal at Badgerys Creek unveiled on Wednesday. WSI chief executive Simon Hickey said the "24-hour international gateway" terminal would create "significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney". The airport itself is on track to open for domestic, international, and air cargo services in late 2026, though clarity on addressing the key drawbacks remain up in the air. So far, only four airlines have confirmed their plans to operate out of WSI - two of those being Australia's Qantas and Jetstar. The third, Singapore Airlines, announced their intention back in August 2024, and the fourth, Air New Zealand, was announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. At Sydney Airport in Mascot, more than 50 airlines fly in and out, the vast majority being overseas carriers. Hickey previously said conversations with multiple other airlines had taken place, but he would not be drawn on any finalities. "We are gathering momentum each passing day," he said at WSI's unveiling. Indian media reported "discussions" had occurred with IndiGo and Air India, with Destination NSW's country manager for India saying an airport in Western Sydney would be ideal for "a lot of the Indian community". A delayed Western Sydney Airport Metro Line is likely a thorn in the side of WSI's grand plans. The first tracks have been laid on this Metro line, but visitors to WSI won't be able to use this service until at least April 2027, as per Sydney Metro's annual report. "Major projects like these are inherently complex and this project has faced impacts due to industrial relations and supply chain disruption," a Sydney Metro spokesperson said. Despite a delayed Metro line and a limit of confirmed airline carriers, the A$5.3 billion (NZ$ 5.7b) investment in the airport's build is visible. As Australia's first new greenfield international airport in more than 50 years, WSI's design is sustainability-focused, according to the architects behind the project. More than 6000 solar panels are affixed to its roof to provide energy efficiency and renewable electricity in a bid to reduce the airport's carbon footprint. Collected rainfall on-site will also be recycled for use in the airport's bathrooms, irrigation systems and cooling towers. Hickey said the design had taken inspiration from "iconic vistas" around Western and Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, and sandstone materials also sourced from the Central Coast. With construction mostly finalised, the fit-out of the terminal's retail precinct and airline lounges will take place closer to the airport's opening, said a WSI spokesperson, with commercial tenders contracts still to be finalised. When asked by 702 ABC Radio Sydney if WSI would be the most "Instagrammable terminal in Australia", he agreed. "It's an exciting day for Western Sydney," he said. -ABC