Air NZ announces direct flights between Hamilton and Queenstown

Air New Zealand has announced a new direct route between Hamilton and Queenstown, alongside plans to boost its international flight schedule in 2027.

The airline's direct jet service between the two cities will launch in late June next year, operating three return flights a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The year-round service would be operated by a 171-seat Airbus A320, giving Waikato travellers a direct connection to Queenstown ahead of the busy winter tourism season.

Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the route reflected strong demand for travel between the two regions.

“For Waikato travellers, it means a direct flight to Queenstown for a winter getaway or a long weekend. It also gives visitors to Queenstown another way to explore New Zealand, including the Waikato’s iconic attractions," he said.

The announcement followed the return of domestic jet services to Hamilton in September 2025, when the airline launched its Christchurch-Hamilton route after a 25-year absence.

Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the new connection would benefit the wider central North Island, while Queenstown Airport chief executive Shane O'Hare welcomed the opportunities the service would create for tourism and business.

Flights between Hamilton and Christchurch would be available to book from late November.

Air New Zealand also announced plans to increase its international capacity by 4% during the Northern Hemisphere summer of 2027, with additional flights to several popular destinations.

The expanded schedule, running from March 28 to October 23, would include more services between Auckland and Vancouver, Shanghai, Taipei and Papeete.

Flights between Auckland and Vancouver would increase from seven to nine per week during July, while Shanghai would receive daily services during April, July and September/October.

Taipei services would increase to five per week from late September, and up to five weekly flights would be available to the French Polynesian capital of Papeete between July and August.

The airline would also introduce daily Dreamliner flights between Auckland and Houston from September, up from five weekly Boeing 777 services.

Meanwhile, the Christchurch-Singapore route was set to continue year-round, operating three times a week, with tickets already on sale.

The expansion would be supported by four new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners — two of which arrived last month — with another two expected in 2027.

Air New Zealand chief commercial officer Scott Wilkinson said the additional flights would help strengthen tourism and trade connections.

"More seats mean more visitors supporting our tourism industry, more connections for Kiwi businesses and exporters, and more opportunities to bring people and products to and from our shores," he said.