New Rotorua-Auckland air service takes off
12 February 2014
Passengers flying between Auckland and Rotorua during the week now have a bigger and better option.
Air New Zealand has begun operating a larger Q300 aircraft on its weekday morning flights between Auckland and Rotorua. Departure times have also changed, with the Auckland to Rotorua flight moving from 8.05am to 8.30am, and the Rotorua to Auckland service leaving slightly later at 9.30am instead of 9am.
Air New Zealand's new 50 seat Q300 aircraft provides an additional 31 seats per flight, the equivalent of a 30 per cent increase in passenger capacity.
Rotorua Airport chief executive Alastair Rhodes says the scheduling changes and increased capacity are already proving popular.
The changes to the Auckland - Rotorua routes are a positive development for our region. Forward bookings on the route have already experienced double digit growth compared to the previous year, as a result of the Q300's 30 per cent capacity upgrade. This is encouraging.
He says increased seat numbers also provide the potential for Air New Zealand to offer cheaper tickets, with $79 lead-in fares.
The fact that Air New Zealand is providing increased capacity without any decrease in frequency means we get the benefit of an efficient and cost-effective schedule for locals and visitors, to and from Rotorua. This is made even more significant by the fact the Auckland - Rotorua link is a critical tourism route for the region.
Mr Rhodes says the future of the service is bright, with the next objective being to introduce the larger Q300 planes on the evening service as well.
The Auckland to Rotorua route has huge potential, with easier and more economical ways of getting to and from Auckland, be it for business, concerts, international connections, sporting events and so on.
The Q300 Rotorua - Auckland flights are available for booking at www.airnewzealand.com. Further information is available at www.rotorua-airport.co.nz