More flights to Australia this Xmas
Qantas is launching new services between Christchurch and Australia in time for Christmas, including daily flights to Melbourne.
The new daily ChristchurchMelbourne service will begin from December 4, timed to connect with onward flights to Dubai, London and a wide range of European destinations.
Additionally, flights between Christchurch and Brisbane will grow from three per week to daily from October 30, timed to connect to Qantas’ Asian and United States network via Brisbane.
The changes follow recent reductions in regional domestic routes across the Tasman that freed up flying time within Qantas’ Boeing 737 fleet.
Wes Nobelius, Qantas’ general manager for New Zealand, the Pacific islands and South America, said the move was about meeting demand in a flexible way. ’’We’ve put a big focus on making sure that we have the right aircraft on the right routes around the region, plus smart connections to the rest of our international network.’’
Christchurch Airport’s chief commercial officer of aeronautical, Justin Watson, said the Qantas move would mean more than 160,000 extra return seats a year for Christchurch.
As well as expanding travel choices for Kiwis heading offshore, the new flights would help bring more tourists to the South Island through Qantas hubs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and their links to Asia and Europe.
‘‘Those three Australian airports handle close to 90 million passengers a year, so when you open up connections to those big strong hubs it’s important to the whole South Island.’’ – Fairfax NZ