A new Domestic Route!

A new gateway is opening up between Waikato and Otago with Air New Zealand introducing a direct service between Hamilton and Queenstown.

It marks yet another high for Hamilton Airport which has returned strong financial results, seen a surge in passenger numbers and has a runway extension planned.

The year-round Hamilton to Queenstown route will begin in late June 2027, with three return flights each week on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a 171-seat Airbus A320. It will offer about 53,300 seats annually across both directions.

Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the new service will increase the airport’s growing passenger base, with a record 530,000 passengers travelling through Hamilton in 2025.

“It's a significant milestone for Hamilton Airport but also a great vote of confidence in the wider region,” he said.

“Research undertaken by the airport to help identify potential demand and secure the route has highlighted support from local travellers and interest from tour operators. So we know there is strong interest in a direct service.”

Morgan said the airport has been in talks with the Air New Zealand for “some months about this opportunity”, with a business case completed to support the commercial strengths of the route.

“Then through to in the last couple of weeks having the three parties - which of course is the airline, Air New Zealand, and Queenstown Airport and Hamilton Airport - all coming together and being able to conclude the arrangement.”

Air New Zealand’s decision to fly the route was in response to a long-held interest in better connections between Waikato and Otago. The service will help to cut down on the time and cost for travellers by eliminating the need to travel to Auckland or Christchurch.

It was a great opportunity to develop inbound tourism and new touring itineraries linking Queenstown with places like Hamilton Gardens, Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo, he said.

“Hamilton Airport is increasingly becoming the gateway to the central North Island, so this allows connectivity.”

With an increasing amount of festivals, shows, and expos happening in the region, more direct airline routes also helped bring more event attendees into the region.

“Now people that want to travel in for those events, either from Australia or from the Deep South or from Christchurch [and] Wellington, can do so which wasn't always the case,” Morgan said.

“It's almost like the region is coming of age and I think it's our time to really shine in terms of a region that's got a good economic growth story and a good tourism story and now a great event story.”

The region’s airport has moved from strength to strength this year, with Waikato Regional Airport Limited (WRAL) executives telling Hamilton city bosses in September the airport was now running a pure trading profit for the first time since 2019.

Following direct international services to Sydney and the Gold Coast restarting, total passenger numbers grew 48% on the previous year, with Morgan telling councillors he was confident the airport could easily hit 800,000 total passengers over the next two to three years.

Hamilton Airport was also recognised for its contributions to the region and was crowned the Supreme Winner at the 2026 Waikato Business Awards alongside winning the Business Growth and Strategy Award and the Sustainability Award. Morgan was named CEO of the Year and was commended by the judges for his leadership during a difficult period for the aviation sector, growing the airport’s balance sheet and developing a strong management team.

The airport is set to continue to grow with construction on a 255-metre runway and apron expansion expected to start later this summer. It’s backed by $6m in Crown funding and will allow the airport to act as an emergency alternative for diverted long-haul flights which can’t land in Auckland.

However the new Hamilton to Queenstown service won’t require further investment, instead making use of existing airport infrastructure. Hamilton Airport already accommodates Airbus A320 jet services to Christchurch and will co-ordinate terminal operations, security screening, and staffing for the new flights.

Morgan noted that with 827,000 people living within 150km of the airport, it was a market which was being noticed by airlines. The new Hamilton to Queenstown route was an opportunity to further demonstrate strong demand for services out of the airport, he said.

“This has been a very good partnership, and we appreciate Air New Zealand’s commitment to the region. Both teams have put considerable work into getting to this point. Three services a week is a great place to start. We’ll work together to promote the service and build demand throughout the year.

“New routes need to stack up commercially, particularly in the current cost environment. Local support will be key to attracting more airlines and building more routes out of Hamilton.”

“Every route needs a sound commercial foundation and has to fit with an airline’s network and growth plans. We continue to have these conversations and push Hamilton’s case very hard.”

Source: Waikato Times