Wheels up: Air NZ to launch flights between Hamilton and Queenstown in 2027

Direct flights will run between Hamilton and Queenstown for the first time from next June.

Air New Zealand says three return flights a week will run on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays using an Airbus A320 with 171 seats.

The flights will come just in time for the busy winter season, the airline says.

Hamilton Airport says the flights will meet strong demand from residents, support tourism flows between the two regions and strengthen Hamilton's role as a gateway to the central North Island.

The year-round service will allow travellers to reach Queenstown without having to fly direct from Auckland or catch connecting flights via Wellington or Christchurch.

Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan says the new service will further increase the airport's growing passenger base, with a record 530,000 passengers travelling through Hamilton last year. It will offer about 53,300 seats annually across both directions.

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

"This decision by Air New Zealand responds to a long-standing desire for better connections between the two regions. It will reduce the need for international visitors to backtrack through Auckland, leaving more time to explore the central North Island.

"There is a great opportunity to develop inbound tourism and new touring itineraries linking Queenstown with places like Hamilton Gardens, Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo. We'll work with Air New Zealand and tourism partners to develop that opportunity over time," he said.

The new service will use existing airport infrastructure and will not require further investment. Hamilton Airport already accommodates Airbus A320 jet services to Christchurch and can coordinate terminal operations, security screening and staffing for the new flights.

"Three services a week is a great place to start," Morgan said of the route's future. "We'll work together to promote the service and build demand throughout the year."

Local support would be key to attracting more airlines and building more routes out of Hamilton, he said.

"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."