The travel market between Australia and New Zealand is vitally important to both nations, as each is the largest source of visitors to the other. While new routes and services from China, Asia, and North America get all the attention, the trans-Tasman routes are the most reliable, so today’s announcement of more Jetstar flights between the Gold Coast and New Zealand will be warmly welcomed.
Jetstar adds more ways to get to the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast Airport is the gateway to some of Australia’s most well-known tourist hot spots, sitting on the doorstep of miles of pristine beaches, theme parks and lush hinterlands. Today, low-cost carrier Jetstar announced it will significantly expand its Gold Coast network by adding new nonstop flights to Hamilton and Dunedin in New Zealand starting in June 2025.
Photo: Gold Coast Airport
In recent times, Gold Coast Airport (OOL), a member of the Queensland Airports Group (QAL), has undergone significant terminal and airside upgrades and now offers passengers world-class facilities that evoke the essence of Queensland. Last year, the airport was a significant supporter of Bonza’s attempt to grow visitor traffic in the region, so it is heartening to see that after Bonza’s demise, it has secured this long-term relationship with Jetstar and Qantas.
Photo: Michael Doran I Simple Flying
The new routes will connect the Gold Coast to Hamilton in New Zealand’s North Island and Dunedin in the South Island, spreading the catchment even wider for holidaymakers in both countries. QAL CEO Amelia Evans said the new services offer greater connectivity and choice for customers, making air travel more accessible for Kiwis looking to holiday on the Gold Coast, adding:
“We’re proud that we’ll be Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand. These services are expected to deliver over 115,000 passengers annually to the Gold Coast, connecting the city of Dunedin for the first time and re-establishing the airport’s first-ever Tasman route, to Hamilton.”
Jetstar is basing another aircraft on the Gold Coast
In the twelve months ending March 2024, more than 500,000 New Zealanders crossed the Tasman Sea to visit Queensland, setting a second consecutive visitor spending record with AU$821 million ($550m) in overnight visitor expenditure. The new services will operate three times weekly, and to support the additional flying, Jetstar will base a sixth Airbus A320 Family aircraft at the airport.
Photo: Jetstar Airways
Jetstar CEO Stephanie Tully said that tourism is a key industry on the Gold Coast, and the new agreement with Queensland airports will support the growth of inbound tourism and provide a big boost to local operators. Jetstar JQ 189 will take off from the Gold Coast on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 09:25, arrive in Dunedin at 14:45, depart Dunedin (DUD) at 15:45 and land on the Gold Coast at 17:25.
The flight to Hamilton leaves the Gold Coast on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 06:20 and arrives at HLZ at 11:30. JQ164 departs Hamilton at 12:30 and is back at OOL at 14:20. Passengers can now arrive at one airport and depart at the other, which will be popular with Australians who often road trip through both New Zealand islands.
In addition to boosting connections between Queensland and New Zealand, Jetstar, a Qantas Group airline, has announced another new trans-Tasman route between Sydney and Hamilton, located around 80 miles south of Auckland. This service will commence in June 2025, creating more than 75,000 new low-fare seats annually.
Jetstar JQ165 will depart Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 06:15 and arrive at Hamilton Airport (HLZ) at 11:15. The return flight JQ166 departs Hamilton at 12:05 and arrives in Sydney at 13:35.
To celebrate the new services, Jetstar has launched a 24-hour sale with one-way sale fares of AU$155 ($104) from the Gold Coast to Hamilton, AU$169 ($113) to Dunedin and AU$159 ($106) from Sydney to Hamilton. The sale ends at 10:00 AEST on September 17 unless sold out prior, and customers should check for conditions on Jetstar’s website.