Sunshine Coast Airport: Sunshine Coast welcomes first Air New Zealand flight for the 2018 season
The 2018 Winter season's first Auckland-Sunshine Coast flight has touched down at the Sunshine Coast Airport today, carrying what will be the first of many visitors to the region this year.
Flights to and from the Sunshine Coast will be available four times a week, till Sunday 28 October.
Greeting passengers from the season's inaugural flight this morning, Sunshine Coast Airport CEO, Peter Pallot, says the airport's alliance with Air New Zealand continues to benefit travellers from both sides of the Tasman.
"Passenger numbers on this route have steadily increased over the last six years it has been in operation, and we only anticipate this trend will increase, as our Kiwi cousins continue to vote with their feet," Mr Pallot said.
"In 2017 we had a total of 34,760 seats for the Auckland service and this season we have a total of 44,240 seats available, illustrating a 27% increase in seat capacity for the 2018 New Zealand season".
"Working with our partners Air New Zealand, Visit Sunshine Coast and Tourism Noosa we hope to be able to continue to promote this great region as a one-stop-shop for an easy winter getaway for New Zealanders".
"Sunshine Coast locals are also taking advantage of Auckland's connections to a range of Air New Zealand international destinations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and beyond."
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford says the advantage of a short flight time from our largest international tourism market, coupled with the obvious benefits of a Sunshine Coast winter getaway, continue to ensure the Sunshine Coast is a popular destination for New Zealand visitors.
"A total of 65,000 New Zealanders visited the Sunshine Coast in the year ending December 2017," Mr Latchford said.
"The fact that New Zealanders can escape their frosty winter and be able to have their feet on our beaches in around four hours, is a pivotal reason this market continues to choose the Sunshine Coast for a holiday.
"Our recent digital marketing campaign with Air New Zealand has been timed to co-ordinate with the launch of the Auckland-Sunshine Coast season, tempting New Zealanders to get to sunshine by lunchtime and seek out our wonderful beaches, and beautiful hinterland".