This Content Is Only For Subscribers
Air New Zealand’s latest schedule announcement for Rotorua delivers both good and bad news for Rotorua travellers, Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer says.
The latest schedule changes from Air New Zealand see the early morning Rotorua-Auckland and evening Auckland-Rotorua flights restored – a big win for local business travellers and those connecting to/from international services in particular, Nicole says.
But due to a softening in business and Government travel to and from Wellington, the 7.05am flight from Rotorua to the Capital has been removed from the schedule.
Options to travel from Rotorua to Wellington on a weekday will be available later in the day, while travellers will also be able to connect via Auckland on the new early morning service. The evening Wellington-Rotorua service will also be rescheduled.
The changes come into effect from February 17, 2025.
Nicole says the schedule changes are driven by travel demand and reflect a softening in travel to Wellington from destinations across the country.
“This is an understandable response from Air New Zealand, and while we know the reinstatement of the early morning and evening flights to/from Auckland will be celebrated by our local business community, equally, the Wellington schedule change will be a frustration to others.
“Rotorua Airport, alongside Rotorua NZ and others, have put a priority focus on collecting data and insights for Air New Zealand to help inform their decisions. This work won’t stop, and the Airport and Air New Zealand are continuing to work together with a further focus on reliability, so travellers can have confidence in the flight schedule.”
Rotorua NZ chief executive Andrew Wilson says the new overnight Auckland flight, in particular, is an important boost to Rotorua’s tourism sector.
“We’re pleased that Air New Zealand have taken into consideration our insights and feedback from local people captured in our most recent business pulse survey.
“These latest schedule changes are a good start, although also brings challenges, and we’ll continue to strengthen our engagement and relationship with the airline on shared objectives.”
