Jetstar announces fourth flight a week from Gold Coast to Dunedin and Hamilton

The Gold Coast’s trans-Tasman love affair has hit new heights as Jetstar adds extra flights to New Zealand following extraordinary 90 per cent booking success rates.

Jetstar announces fourth flight a week from Gold Coast to Dunedin and Hamilton. Photo: Jane Dempster/The Daily Telegraph.

The Gold Coast’s love affair with our Kiwi neighbours just got stronger as demand for the trans-Tasman connection has been taken to new heights.

Jetstar has announced they are boosting capacity to both its Dunedin and Hamilton services from the Gold Coast after its original flights “exceeded expectations”.

The services took off in June and a Gold Coast Airport spokeswoman said they have had more than 90 per cent of seats booked across the three flights a week.

As a thank you, Jetstar have said they will be adding a fourth weekly flight from March next year.

Hobbiton movie set, Hamilton region, New Zealand.

Queensland Airports Limited chief of aviation Adam Rowe said they had welcomed more than 40,000 passengers on these services in six months.

“We welcome Jetstar’s commitment to the Gold Coast by continuing to build on the strong demand for travel between New Zealand and our region,” he said.

“Gold Coast Airport is Australia’s most connected airport to New Zealand and this further boosts our trans-Tasman connectivity.”

Jetstar executive manager of commercial planning Lyle Brownscombe said the news was the perfect push for Gold Coasters to start thinking about their next holiday.

Aussies looking to venture in Dunedin can wander through Larnach Castle and Gardens while the rest can visit the famous sets from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in Hamilton.

“We’ve seen strong demand for these services, and it’s clear the Gold Coast and New Zealand are both high on the holiday wish list,” he said.

The beach and sea near Saint Clair, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Photo: iStock

“By adding extra services, we’re making it even easer than ever for families and friends to plan their next trip.”

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said it was “terrific” news for the city’s tourism industry.

“We know that Kiwis love visiting the Gold Coats and the success of these two new Jetstar routes since they were launched in June shows we continue to be the destination of choice for New Zealand travellers.”

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