In the past decade alone, the airline has carried over seven million customers between the two destinations and this coming summer will operate up to 116 return services a week, increasing to 156 over the Christmas period.
(Image Source)
Air New ZealandIn the past decade alone, the airline has carried over seven million customers between the two destinations and this coming summer will operate up to 116 return services a week, increasing to 156 over the Christmas period.
Air New Zealand General Manager Domestic Scott Carr, who has been with the airline for 35 years, says he remembers those first few years of flying between Auckland and Queenstown well.
“I was based in Christchurch when we launched the direct Auckland to Queenstown service and I remember what a milestone moment it was. Connecting New Zealand’s main international hub directly with the Southern Lakes region was a game-changer, and three decades later this service is now the third-most popular on our domestic network.”
It’s not just a popular route for customers. The service also provides an important cargo link between the lower South Island and the international flight hub, Auckland.
“We carry a large amount of cargo between the two centres,” says Carr.
(Image Source)
“One of the key products we transport on this route is lobster, which we started carrying in August 2013. Today, the crustacean accounts for approximately 250 tonnes of cargo carried north from Queenstown each year.”
To celebrate the 30-year milestone, customers travelling today will be treated with a few delights onboard, and the giant lolly jar is in town.
“Everyone boarding a flight between Auckland and Queenstown today will get an extra Cookie Time treat, and we thought it was only fitting to give away some iconic adventure activities onboard a few select flights. Customers travelling from Auckland to Queenstown could be enjoying a scenic TSS Earnslaw Cruise thanks to RealNZ or a giant swing or bungy jump thanks AJ Hackett Bungy. We also haven’t forgotten about those travelling north, with Bridge Climbs and Sky Jumps, and Wētā Workshop Unleashed experiences in Auckland up for grabs.
“Locals can also pop along to Queenstown Central in Frankton and guess how many Air New Zealand lollies are in the giant lolly jar to be in to win a share of a million Airpoints Dollars.”
Queenstown Airport CEO Glen Sowry says they are thrilled to celebrate 30 years of direct flights between Auckland and Queenstown with Air New Zealand.
“About half the passengers who travel through Queenstown Airport fly this route. Its introduction 30 years ago helped forge strong links between New Zealand’s largest city and the Southern Lakes region. It enables efficient, convenient travel for business or leisure, as well as creating long-haul connections with Asia, North America, and Europe. Air New Zealand was also the first airline to adopt RNP flight procedures into Queenstown, which created a step change in reliability in and out of the airport, and had a hugely positive effect for our region.”
Queenstown Mayor, Glyn Lewers, says Queenstown’s airport continues to be a vital engine for the economy of our district and the lower South Island.
“Air New Zealand has been key to that success, with direct flights to Auckland connecting our community with friends, family and work opportunities for 30 years as well as allowing inbound visitors from all over the world to see for themselves what makes our corner of Aotearoa New Zealand so special. So here’s to many more years of our national carrier flying people between our largest city and our national tourism capital in style.”
30 years between AKL – ZQN:
- On 17 October 1994, Air New Zealand launched its first direct service between Auckland and Queenstown operating daily flights with a Boeing 737-200
- By the beginning of the millennium, a second daily flight was added during peak periods such as Easter, July school holidays, and Christmas
- In 2002, the route became the airline’s twelfth busiest on the domestic network, and the Boeing 737-300 was introduced
- By 2004, a third daily service was added during peak periods
- Significant expansion occurred between 2009 and 2010, with up to six flights a day during peak periods, and the route became the fifth busiest on the airline’s domestic network
- On 23 May 2016 Air New Zealand operated flight NZ613, the first domestic after-dark flight from Auckland to Queenstown. This was a historic moment for Queenstown Airport, the Southern Lakes region, and a major milestone for New Zealand aviation
- By 2017, the Auckland to Queenstown route had become the third busiest on the domestic network and remains in that spot today
- Since 2002, Air New Zealand has carried over 10 million passengers between the two destinations
- This summer, the airline will operate up to 116 return services a week, increasing to 156 over the Christmas period
Source: Air New Zealand
Disclaimer: Press release
© Press Release 2025
Send us your press releases to news@globalloyalty.org
Press releases originate from external third-party providers. This website does not have responsibility or control over its content, which is presented as is, without any alterations. Neither this website nor its affiliates guarantee the accuracy of the views or opinions expressed in the press release.
The press release is intended solely for informational purposes and does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice, nor does it express any opinion regarding the suitability, value, or profitability of specific securities, portfolios, or investment strategies. Neither this website nor its affiliates are liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, nor for any actions taken based on it. By using the information provided in this article, you agree to do so at your own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers, and licensors shall not be liable to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to lost profits, savings, and revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract, or any other theory of liability, even if the possibility of such damages was known or foreseeable.
The images used in press releases and articles provided by 3rd party sources belong to the respective source provider and are used for illustrative purposes in accordance with the original press releases and publications.
Disclaimer: Content
While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date content, Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the correctness accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or reliability of the information or the results derived from its use, not that the content will meet your requirements or expectations. The content is provided “as is” and “as available”. You agree that your use of the content is at your own risk. Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. disclaims all warranties related to the content, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and title, and is not liable for a particular purpose, non-infringement, and title, and is not liable for any interruptions. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so these jurisdictions may not apply to you. Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. Reserves the right to modify, interrupt, or discontinue the content without notice and is not liable for doing so.
Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. shall not be liable for any damages, including special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost profits, revenue, or use, arising out of or related to the content, whether in contract, negligence, tort, statute, equity, law, or otherwise, even if advised of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on liability for incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation may not apply to you. These disclaimers and limitations apply to Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. and its parent, affiliates, related companies, contractors, sponsors, and their respective directors, officers, members, employees, agents, content providers, licensors, and advisors.
The content and its compilation, created by Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd, are the property of Global Loyalty Organisation Ltd. and cannot be reproduced without prior written permission.
