Air New Zealand will launch a new year-round direct service between Hamilton and Queenstown from late June 2027, restoring a direct jet link between the two New Zealand cities and adding a new option for travel ahead of the winter tourism season.
New domestic connection
The carrier will operate three return flights per week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. The service will use a 171-seat Airbus A320, connecting Hamilton with Queenstown without the need to travel via another New Zealand airport.
| Carrier | Origin | Destination | Start date | Weekly frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air New Zealand | Hamilton | Queenstown | Late June 2027 | Three return flights | 171-seat Airbus A320 |
Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar said the route reflected demand between the Waikato and Queenstown regions. The service is intended to support both local travel and inbound movement to the South Island resort destination, while giving Queenstown a further connection with New Zealand’s central North Island.
“For Waikato travellers, it means a direct flight to Queenstown for a winter getaway or a long weekend. It also gives visitors to Queenstown another way to explore New Zealand, including the Waikato’s iconic attractions.”
Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the connection would benefit the wider central North Island. Queenstown Airport chief executive Shane O’Hare also welcomed the potential effect on tourism and business activity associated with the new link.
Hamilton’s domestic jet network
The announcement follows Air New Zealand’s return of domestic jet services to Hamilton in September 2025. The airline began operating a Christchurch–Hamilton route at that time, ending a 25-year absence of domestic jet services by the carrier at the airport.
Air New Zealand also said flights between Hamilton and Christchurch would be available to book from late November. That route provides an additional domestic connection from the Waikato as the airline develops its jet schedule from Hamilton.
International capacity planned for 2027
Alongside the domestic announcement, the airline outlined a planned 4% increase in international capacity during the Northern Hemisphere summer of 2027. The expanded schedule will run from 28 March to 23 October 2027 and will include additional services from Auckland to Vancouver, Shanghai, Taipei and Papeete.
- Auckland–Vancouver will rise from seven to nine flights per week during July.
- Auckland–Shanghai will operate daily during April, July and September/October.
- Auckland–Taipei will increase to five flights per week from late September.
- Auckland–Papeete will have up to five weekly flights during July and August.
The planned changes place the Hamilton–Queenstown service within a wider schedule expansion covering both domestic connectivity and selected international markets. The Queenstown route is described as a year-round operation, while the additional international services are tied to the Northern Hemisphere summer schedule and specified seasonal periods.
