Air New Zealand Announces 2023 Sunshine Coast Service

Air New Zealand has announced its direct service between the Sunshine Coast and Auckland is recommencing from 25 June, 2023.

Once again opening the Sunshine Coast to the world, Air New Zealand has scheduled direct services between Auckland to recommence from 25 June 2023.

Operating three times a week (Sunday, Wednesday and Friday), the return of Air New Zealand’s seasonal service will operate until 15 October.

Providing more than 16,000 seats between the two destinations during the season, the service will operate on an A320neo aircraft.

Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Andrew Brodie said it’s wonderful to have direct international services back and is looking forward to the kiwi koru plane tails returning to our runway.

“Air New Zealand’s return to the Sunshine Coast is a vote of confidence in our destination, as we know the kiwis have a long-standing love affair with all our region has to offer.

“Just in time for the New Zealand school holidays, this service will bring high-value tourism into our region, and with a variety of natural assets, exceptional produce and calendar of world-class events, we’re ready to welcome our kiwi cousins with open arms.

“For locals too, this is a great opportunity to connect from your home airport directly to New Zealand, or with a short stopover in Auckland before venturing further afield to a variety of destinations in North America, the Pacific Islands and Asia”.

Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty said that the airline is really pleased to have the direct flights between Auckland and the Sunshine Coast available again.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Queenslanders to our shores to experience everything New Zealand has to offer – from our wonderful winter playground to the stunning wineries, there’s something for everyone.

“With our direct service launching and good connections onto our domestic network means more opportunity for Queenslanders to discover New Zealand any time of the year.”

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Matt Stoeckel, said that New Zealand was the Sunshine Coast’s largest inbound market and the destination was a “natural” for Kiwis over the winter and autumn seasons.

“The Sunshine Coast’s renowned beach culture, wide range of events, rich food scene and laidback lifestyle makes the region highly attractive for international visitors,” said Mr Stoeckel.

“The timing of the flights is ideal for New Zealanders to experience two of our prime winter events – the Curated Plate food festival and the Horizon arts festival. The diversity of our attractions makes the Sunshine Coast ideal for both first-time and returning visitors.”

Tourism Noosa Acting CEO Susan Ewington said Noosa is excited to welcome back Air New Zealand’s direct flights to Sunshine Coast Airport, which is just 30 minutes from Noosa.

“Our Kiwi friends can start their holidays sooner and be at Noosa’s beautiful beaches, restaurants and spas just a few hours after leaving home,” Ms Ewington said.

“It’s perfect timing for Noosa’s winter and spring events calendar, with some great sporting, food and cultural events coming up including the 10-day Noosa Alive arts and cultural festival; Floating Land, Australia’s premiere arts-in-the-environment event; the Noosa Enduro and Noosa Classic cycling events through the beautiful Noosa hinterland and the Noosa Open Studio arts trail.

“We’ll soon have holiday inspiration and great deals through our new Find your Inner Noosa campaign, so if you’re thinking of a sunny winter holiday, keep an eye on Visit Noosa.”

Ms Ewington said New Zealand had been an important source market for Noosa, particularly over the winter months, which had grown considerably in the few years before the pandemic.

“New Zealand had cemented itself in the top two international markets for Noosa, spending around $25m in the region each year, so we’re looking forward to welcoming Kiwi visitors back to our beaches and river, to the food and wine scene, and on tours.

“We’ve had some great new breweries, distilleries and restaurants open in the past couple of years, so it’s definitely time to come back and explore Noosa.

“This is another milestone for our Sunshine Coast Airport and we’re excited to work with them to welcome the return of Air New Zealand.”

When the airport is fully developed, total direct employment at the Airport is expected to grow from 530 to 1300 direct jobs. The Airport will also support up to 5,500 jobs and inject up to $396 million annually to Queensland’s GSP in the tourism and supply chain industries once development is completed.

Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd operates and manages Sunshine Coast Airport, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, under a 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council which commenced in December 2017.

Sunshine Coast Airport services 16 destinations including Adelaide, Albury, Auckland, Avalon, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Mackay, Melbourne, Mildura, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sydney, Tamworth, Townsville and Whitsunday Coast.