New Zealand flights to resume on Monday from Cairns Airport, three departures per week planned
FNQ residents finally have a direct connection with this overseas holiday hotspot, saving the hassle of awful connecting flights. FIND OUT WHERE
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
KIWIS will be strapping themselves in for the welcome return of direct flights to Cairns, with the first plane to hit the tarmac this morning.
For the first time in a year, Air New Zealand will operate three direct flights between Auckland and Cairns each week, with today’s passengers arriving at 11.05am.
In honour of our Kiwi cousins’ arrival, disembarking guests will be served cake … Pavlova, no less.
The return of direct flights will be yet another healthy injection of tourists back into Cairns as Kiwis rush to escape their “chully” winter.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said bookings show strong inbound passenger figures.
“These flights will enable easier and more frequent travel for those who have been separated from relatives and loved ones during the peak of the pandemic,” he said.
“We expect these services to be highly popular.
“This flight route also significantly enhances travel options to and from North America … seamless connectivity from Los Angeles or San Francisco via Auckland opens the pathway to see more visitors in the Far North.”
Air New Zealand executive Leanne Geraghty also believed the restored flight route would be popular for our sun-seeking cousins across the Tasman.
“Kiwis love to escape to Far North Queensland … the restart of our Auckland to Cairns direct services will be welcome.”
According to TTNQ figures, more than 38,000 visitors from New Zealand travelled to the region in pre-pandemic 2019, staying for an average of almost 11 nights and splashing a total of almost $67m into local businesses.
TTNQ Chair Ken Chapman said the flights followed a targeted media push in New Zealand.
More Coverage
Originally published as New Zealand flights to resume on Monday from Cairns Airport, three departures per week planned
‘Definitely catastrophic’: Man stages dinghy rescue in rising floodwaters
A Cardwell man has helped stage a dramatic late night rescue, propelling his boat down a flooded street and whisking nearby neighbours to safety.
VIDEO: Fisherman missing near crocodile infested waters
Rescue efforts for a fisherman missing near crocodile infested waters in remote Far North Queensland has entered its third day as police releasing footage of the rescue efforts. WATCH VIDEO HERE.