Latest news with #HamiltonAirport
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Taupō Tourism Set To Soar With New International Flights From Hamilton Airport
The return of international flights to Hamilton Airport after a 13-year hiatus signals a new era of opportunity for the Taupō tourism sector. Starting June 16, Jetstar will operate direct flights between Hamilton and Sydney, followed by services to the Gold Coast commencing June 18. Hamilton Airport is only a 90-minute drive from Taupō—which makes it a convenient gateway for international visitors keen to explore the region. Taupō, most recently crowned one of the earth's most welcoming destinations is now more accessible to Australian tourists seeking everything from rest and relaxation to adventure and adrenaline. Patrick Dault, General Manager of Destination Great Lake Taupō (DGLT) highlighted the ease in accessibility to Taupō: 'How we bring more visitors to the region has always been a critical conversation. With this kind of access, everyone over the ditch can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying everything Taupō has to offer. Another international gateway is definitely a plus. This one, on the very steps of Taupō ensures visitors can land in the mighty Waikato and make the most of their experience in Taupō and other regions within the central north island' Nicola Greenwell, Chief Executive at Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, exclaimed 'we are thrilled to be welcoming the new Jetstar flights directly into to Hamilton. The mighty Waikato has many great visitor experiences on offer and our tourism operators, hospitality and retail businesses are ready to welcome manuhiri from Australia. These flights mean our Aussie mates have easier access to visit the central north island, after exploring the mighty Waikato of course!' The refurbished terminal now includes full border control, a new duty-free store, and a café, enhancing the travel experience for incoming tourists. Mark Morgan, Chief Executive of Waikato Regional Airport Ltd, emphasised the broader regional benefits: "This is the beginning of a huge opportunity. The benefits for the entire region—not just passengers—are significant." As Taupō prepares to welcome more international guests, the community looks forward to sharing its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes with a broader audience. About Destination Great Lake Taupō: Destination Great Lake Taupō is the Regional Tourism Organisation responsible for promoting the Taupō region as a visitor destination. The organisation works to increase visitation, length of stay, and visitor spending in the region.
1News
3 days ago
- Business
- 1News
Hamilton Airport international terminal gears up for take-off
Hamilton Airport is gearing up for its first international boarding call since 2012 ahead of overseas flights returning on June 16. The refurbished terminal included full border controls, a new duty-free store and a café. The first Jetstar flight from Sydney touches down in Hamilton in less than two weeks, and would operate three return flights a week to the Gold Coast and four to Sydney. Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the region had "matured" in the last 10 to 20 years. "It's the fastest growing city, the importance of the upper North Island, connectivity, we have 1.3 million people within about an hour and a half drive time of this airport." ADVERTISEMENT NZ Airports Association chief executive Billie Moore said the addition of services out of the Waikato centre was a "fantastic milestone". "The business activity in the aviation market can only be a good thing in terms of adding some dynamism that we haven't seen for a while in New Zealand with the dominance of the national carrier." She said she was hoping for "potential pressure" and other ideas for market growth. "What this means is more choice for Kiwis, you can have more selection around how you might travel and people are able to travel closer to home."
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Blessing Marks Milestone For Hamilton Airport
Press Release – Hamilton Airport The terminal will officially open for business on Monday, June 16 when the first Jetstar flight from Sydney touches down in Hamilton, before boarding passengers and flying back across the Tasman that afternoon. A blessing was held at Hamilton Airport today to thank contractors and border agencies and welcome new staff involved in the airport's refurbished international terminal. The cultural ceremony reflects the importance of whakapapa of the land and acknowledges the renewal of the terminal building to welcome overseas visitors. The terminal will officially open for business on Monday, June 16 when the first Jetstar flight from Sydney touches down in Hamilton, before boarding passengers and flying back across the Tasman that afternoon. From then on, Jetstar will operate three return flights per week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast and four between Hamilton and Sydney. The June 16 flight will be the first time there has been trans-Tasman flights in and out of Hamilton in 13 years. Waikato Regional Airport Ltd chief executive Mark Morgan said this morning's blessing acknowledged the hundreds of people who had contributed to a major regional project. 'The lead contractor was Livingstone Building Ltd but a number of Waikato-based sub-contractors were involved. Today is about recognising everyone who has played a part in delivering an international terminal that Hamilton and the Waikato can be really proud of,' Morgan said. 'It's been a huge job delivered within a tight timeframe. Not finishing it on time was simply not an option.' The refurnished terminal includes provision for full border controls provided by government agencies including aviation security, customs, MPI and immigration along with support from police and health services. Travellers will have access to a new duty-free story and café. It also includes a new domestic jet service lounge, which when required, can be entirely separated from international facilities. A further 300 additional car parks have been developed, including for use by 60 new airport-based staff. The terminal upgrade is part of a $7 million investment needed to ready the airport for international services and allow for the ongoing growth in passenger numbers. The refurbishment was delivered with no disruption to passengers and no extension of the existing building. The terminal will be used by around 120,000 international passengers arriving and departing each year who will pour $45 million per year into the regional economy. From June, Jetstar will become the fourth carrier to operate from Hamilton Airport, joining Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair. The airport already handles around 360,000 passengers annually with more growth forecast. Just last week, Air New Zealand announced domestic jet flights between Hamilton and Christchurch will resume in September, marking the return of a domestic jet service after 25 years.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Blessing Marks Milestone For Hamilton Airport
Press Release – Hamilton Airport The terminal will officially open for business on Monday, June 16 when the first Jetstar flight from Sydney touches down in Hamilton, before boarding passengers and flying back across the Tasman that afternoon. A blessing was held at Hamilton Airport today to thank contractors and border agencies and welcome new staff involved in the airport's refurbished international terminal. The cultural ceremony reflects the importance of whakapapa of the land and acknowledges the renewal of the terminal building to welcome overseas visitors. The terminal will officially open for business on Monday, June 16 when the first Jetstar flight from Sydney touches down in Hamilton, before boarding passengers and flying back across the Tasman that afternoon. From then on, Jetstar will operate three return flights per week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast and four between Hamilton and Sydney. The June 16 flight will be the first time there has been trans-Tasman flights in and out of Hamilton in 13 years. Waikato Regional Airport Ltd chief executive Mark Morgan said this morning's blessing acknowledged the hundreds of people who had contributed to a major regional project. 'The lead contractor was Livingstone Building Ltd but a number of Waikato-based sub-contractors were involved. Today is about recognising everyone who has played a part in delivering an international terminal that Hamilton and the Waikato can be really proud of,' Morgan said. 'It's been a huge job delivered within a tight timeframe. Not finishing it on time was simply not an option.' The refurnished terminal includes provision for full border controls provided by government agencies including aviation security, customs, MPI and immigration along with support from police and health services. Travellers will have access to a new duty-free story and café. It also includes a new domestic jet service lounge, which when required, can be entirely separated from international facilities. A further 300 additional car parks have been developed, including for use by 60 new airport-based staff. The terminal upgrade is part of a $7 million investment needed to ready the airport for international services and allow for the ongoing growth in passenger numbers. The refurbishment was delivered with no disruption to passengers and no extension of the existing building. The terminal will be used by around 120,000 international passengers arriving and departing each year who will pour $45 million per year into the regional economy. From June, Jetstar will become the fourth carrier to operate from Hamilton Airport, joining Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair. The airport already handles around 360,000 passengers annually with more growth forecast. Just last week, Air New Zealand announced domestic jet flights between Hamilton and Christchurch will resume in September, marking the return of a domestic jet service after 25 years.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Blessing Marks Milestone For Hamilton Airport
A blessing was held at Hamilton Airport today to thank contractors and border agencies and welcome new staff involved in the airport's refurbished international terminal. The cultural ceremony reflects the importance of whakapapa of the land and acknowledges the renewal of the terminal building to welcome overseas visitors. The terminal will officially open for business on Monday, June 16 when the first Jetstar flight from Sydney touches down in Hamilton, before boarding passengers and flying back across the Tasman that afternoon. From then on, Jetstar will operate three return flights per week between Hamilton and the Gold Coast and four between Hamilton and Sydney. The June 16 flight will be the first time there has been trans-Tasman flights in and out of Hamilton in 13 years. Waikato Regional Airport Ltd chief executive Mark Morgan said this morning's blessing acknowledged the hundreds of people who had contributed to a major regional project. 'The lead contractor was Livingstone Building Ltd but a number of Waikato-based sub-contractors were involved. Today is about recognising everyone who has played a part in delivering an international terminal that Hamilton and the Waikato can be really proud of,' Morgan said. 'It's been a huge job delivered within a tight timeframe. Not finishing it on time was simply not an option.' The refurnished terminal includes provision for full border controls provided by government agencies including aviation security, customs, MPI and immigration along with support from police and health services. Travellers will have access to a new duty-free story and café. It also includes a new domestic jet service lounge, which when required, can be entirely separated from international facilities. A further 300 additional car parks have been developed, including for use by 60 new airport-based staff. The terminal upgrade is part of a $7 million investment needed to ready the airport for international services and allow for the ongoing growth in passenger numbers. The refurbishment was delivered with no disruption to passengers and no extension of the existing building. The terminal will be used by around 120,000 international passengers arriving and departing each year who will pour $45 million per year into the regional economy. From June, Jetstar will become the fourth carrier to operate from Hamilton Airport, joining Air New Zealand, Sunair and Originair. The airport already handles around 360,000 passengers annually with more growth forecast. Just last week, Air New Zealand announced domestic jet flights between Hamilton and Christchurch will resume in September, marking the return of a domestic jet service after 25 years.
