Air New Zealand’s direct flights between Auckland and Hobart have returned for summer, with more flights and seats on offer than last season.
The first service of the 2026-27 season landed at Hobart Airport today with 195 passengers on board.
According to the Tasmanian government, the season includes up to 170 flights and more than 33,000 seats.
That is an increase of 36 flights (27%) and 7,268 seats (28%) on last year.
Infrastructure and transport minister Kerry Vincent said many airlines around the world were being conservative with their numbers.
“We’re actually seeing growth here in Hobart and how fantastic is that for this state?” he said.
Matt Cocker from Hobart Airport said the first flight was around 91% full, with 195 people on the 240-seat plane.
The service will run into May and increase from three to four flights a week in February and March.
Last year, Cocker said, 65% of passengers on the route were New Zealand residents. Another 12% were US residents connecting through Auckland.
Vincent said tourists spent around $2,700 per stay in Tasmania or an average of $294 per night.
The airport plans to work with Air New Zealand and the state government, through the Aviation Attraction Fund, to extend the season over the next three years.
“We could see up to nine months of operation in three years’ time,” Cocker said.
He said the airport was also talking with airlines operating in the Hong Kong and Singapore area about a direct Asian service.
He described those conversations as “very positive” but could not say when they might lead to flights.
