Hobart Airport excited at prospect of direct flights to New Zealand

Hobart Airport has been battered by a drop in tourists during the coronavirus pandemic, but it says the possibility of direct flights to NZ could provide a silver lining to the current dark tourism cloud.

Air New Zealand planes sit idle on the tarmac at Christchurch Airport, New Zealand, last month. Picture: AP/MARK BAKER

HOBART Airport management says it is excited to explore the prospect of bringing Kiwi tourists directly into Tasmania’s capital by the end of the year.

On Monday, Premier Peter Gutwein said Tasmania could join other Australian states in welcoming Kiwi tourists as part of a new travel deal between the two nations.

The idea of restarting travel between Australia and NZ — in a safe travel “bubble” — has been brewing for a few weeks, based on the relative success of the two countries in slowing the spread of coronavirus and their proximity to each other.

“We are really excited to hear about an opportunity for New Zealand flights, and of course we should be exploring those opportunities as they present themselves,” Acting CEO Matt Cocker said.

Matt Cocker. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“A couple of years ago we had initial conversations with airlines around that route. We are excited, it would make sense, and of course we want to convert on that when it makes sense to do it.”

BEVILACQUA: INTO THE TRANS-TASMAN BUBBLE

However, the airport would need broader agency support to facilitate the international service and has already been in discussions with the Commonwealth Government.

Mr Cocker said the airport had seen a “very severe” drop in passenger numbers since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March.

“We are effectively transiting one flight a day, and that is continuing as it is important that we maintain links with Hobart and the mainland for those that are required to undertake essential travel or medical support,” Mr Cocker said.

“We’ll keep going as long as it takes, but we are excited about the bounce back, and we are continuing to talk with both the Federal Government and the State Government and indeed our airline partners about what that bounce back looks like.”

Mr Gutwein said he and NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had enjoyed a productive discussion about Tasmania being involved in any “trans-Tasman” travel bubble.

“I want to work through the process, but we have to be comfortable that if the borders reopen we can keep people safe,” Mr Gutwein said.