Air NZ route game changer for Southland

A new direct flight between Invercargill and Auckland has been called a ‘‘game changer’’ for Southland.

Air New Zealand announced yesterday that it will trial a first ever direct service between the two cities from the second half of 2019.

It will use an Airbus A320 jet aircraft for the route, which will operate five days a week.

With a flight time of about two hours, it will be the longest domestic Air New Zealand flight.

It will depart Invercargill at 6am and arrive in Auckland at 7.55am. The Auckland-Invercargill service will depart at 7.35pm.

Air New Zealand head of regional affairs Reuben Levermore said the community has been demanding it.

‘‘The Southland community has told us a direct Invercargill Auckland service is important and we’ve been working closely with stakeholders to achieve this.

‘‘The challenge will be for the community to support the trial of a direct service to ensure it’s sustainable, and we’re confident they’ll do so.’’

Invercargill Airport Limited general manager Nigel Finnerty said the announcement was the result of many discussions and negotiations between the airport and the airline.

‘‘Southlanders have been asking for a direct flight between Invercargill and Auckland for a long time and this announcement means Southland will be more connected to the world than it’s ever been.’’

Venture Southland chief executive Paul Casson said the flight was a ‘‘game changer’’ for Southland.

‘‘It brings tremendous benefits in terms of tourism and it’s great news for our exporters.

‘‘Fresh flowers and fresh fish will be able to reach their markets much faster so it has huge benefits for our primary exporters.

‘‘It’s also opens up massive opportunities for international students.

‘‘They will now be able to fly here directly from Auckland.’’

He said Venture Southland had been working with the airline to prove how feasible the direct flight would be and he was pleased it had listened to stakeholders.

‘‘It’s really very exciting.’’ Invercargill Mayor and IAL director Tim Shadbolt said he was pleased to see the advantage of having one of the country’s longest runways put to good use.

‘‘We have the infrastructure and we have the capacity so it’s fantastic that we’re now able to open up the region to more people, more business and more opportunity,’’ he said.

Southland District Mayor Gary Tong said he was pleased by the announcement.

‘‘I know from the many people I have spoken to in the last few months that it will be well supported by passengers.

The decision showed air New Zealand had business confidence in Southland, he said.

Invercargill Labour list MP Dr Liz Craig said the flight was ‘‘fantastic news’’ for Southland.

‘‘Not only will business travellers be able to travel to Auckland the same day for morning meetings, instead of having to fly up the night before, but by adding a new starting point for the Southern Scenic Route, it may relieve some of the pressure on Queenstown’s airport.

Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker said he hoped the flights would bring more visitors to the region and provide Southlanders with more options to get to Auckland.

‘‘Now the community needs to get behind it to ensure this service will remain past its period next year.’’

‘‘The Southland community has told us a direct Invercargill-Auckland service is important and we’ve been working closely with stakeholders to achieve this.’’

Reuben Levermore, Air New Zealand head of regional affairs