Jetstar is set to boost its Gold Coast network with new direct flights to Hamilton and Dunedin in New Zealand starting June 2025. These tri-weekly services will create over 115,000 new low-fare seats annually across the Tasman, providing a significant boost to the Gold Coast’s tourism industry.
An additional aircraft will be deployed to the airline’s Queensland base to support the new trans-Tasman flight services.
Hamilton and Dunedin Services
This marks Jetstar’s first-ever flights to Hamilton, offering Queenslanders a second gateway to New Zealand’s North Island. Travelers will gain easy access to popular destinations like Rotorua, the Bay of Plenty, and Hobbiton.
The Gold Coast-Dunedin route will improve access to the South Island’s second-largest city. It also allows for more flexible New Zealand road trip options, as passengers can fly into one part of the country and depart from another using Jetstar’s network.
To support this expansion, Jetstar will add another aircraft to its Gold Coast base in June 2025, bringing its local fleet to six.
This announcement follows a seven-year agreement between the Qantas Group and Queensland Airports, promoting growth for both Jetstar and Qantas. The deal promises more flights and affordable fares for Queenslanders.
Jetstar has also revealed a new Sydney-Hamilton route, launching in June 2025. This service will add over 75,000 new low-fare seats annually.
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Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully highlighted the benefits for the Gold Coast region: “This expansion will boost inbound tourism and support local operators.”
“It’s a win for customers too, with new low-fare options connecting the Gold Coast to Hamilton and Dunedin. This also helps the city’s large Kiwi expat community stay connected to their homeland.”
Tully thanked the Queensland Government and Queensland Airports for their continued support of affordable travel in the Sunshine State.
Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans emphasized the increased connectivity. “As New Zealand is Australia’s largest international visitor market, strengthening our Trans-Tasman links makes sense. We’re proud to become Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand.” Evans added that these new services are expected to bring over 115,000 passengers to the Gold Coast annually.
Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy encouraged New Zealanders to take advantage of these new opportunities.
“These affordable, regular flights allow New Zealand travelers to explore Queensland without breaking the bank. Gold Coast Airport will now have more routes for visitors and students, with air freight heading back across the Tasman.”
Healy noted that nearly half a million Kiwis visited Queensland in the year ending March 2024, setting a second consecutive visitor spending record of $821 million in overnight expenditure.
Jetstar first took to the skies in 2004 and has since flown more than 350 million customers across an extensive international and domestic network. As one of Asia Pacific’s fastest-growing airline brands, Jetstar was voted Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia Pacific in 2021.
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