Qantas to start Auckland-Gold Coast flights

A new daily Qantas Gold Coast-Auckland service will start later this month and deliver 63,000 seats into the region annually, following the confirmation of trans-Tasman travel recommencing.

The Qantas Gold Coast-Auckland service represents a regional economic impact of $50 million annually.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills welcomed news of the service, which is Qantas’ first international service from Gold Coast Airport.

“The start of the new Qantas Gold Coast-Auckland service will represent an important milestone in the partnership between Gold Coast Airport and Qantas,” he said.

“These flights will see us immediately reach pre-COVID-19 capacity levels between the Gold Coast and Auckland, with Jetstar and Air New Zealand also supporting this route.

“We know flights between the Gold Coast and New Zealand will be well supported and now there will be even more flights for passengers to choose from.”

Gold Coast Airport and Destination Gold Coast are supporting the Gold Coast-Auckland service.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the Qantas Gold Coast-Auckland service would be warmly welcomed by local tourism operators, who were extremely keen to see the valuable international market restart.

“New Zealand is a crucial market for the Gold Coast and this service alone will deliver 63,000 seats and an economic impact of $50 million annually,” she said.

“We know New Zealanders can’t wait to come back to the Gold Coast and they will be welcomed with open arms.

“This service and flights by other carriers will see capacity rebuild quickly between the Gold Coast and Auckland from 19 April. We will see flights added between now and June between the Gold Coast and other New Zealand destinations.

“Thank you to our partners including the City of Gold Coast for their ongoing support to build aviation capacity into the region which is critical for tourism recovery.”