Jetstar has announced the first year-round direct service between the Sunshine Coast and Auckland.
The flights are set to take off in December and will operate up to three times per week.
The initiative is expected to create tens of thousands of low-fare seats each year between the two destinations.
Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said it was a breakthrough moment.
“These new direct flights between Sunshine Coast and Auckland will unlock more than 58,000 new low-fares seats every year and bring more Kiwis to the Sunshine Coast from April 2025,” she said.
“This will be the first year-round service between these trans-Tasman destinations, helping boost the region’s tourism industry.”
To celebrate the announcement, Jetstar is launching a route launch sale, offering one-way fares from the Sunshine Coast to Auckland from $215. The sale is from 10am on Monday, June 24, to 10pm on Tuesday, June 25, at Jetstar.
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Sunshine Coast Airport chief executive officer Chris Mills expected plenty more travellers through the terminal.
“We are excited to partner with Jetstar as they launch their first international service from the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Mills said.
“This new year-round service to Auckland will welcome visitors three times a week, offering choice and flexibility for travellers from both regions.
“I want to thank Jetstar and the Queensland Government, who provided vital funding to support this new service, along with our aviation partners Visit Sunshine Coast and Tourism Noosa.
“New Zealand represents the region’s largest contingent of overseas visitors, and this new service will boost tourism, support local business and connect loved ones across the Tasman.”
The flights were announced after the collapse of budget-based airline Bonza, which was based on the Sunshine Coast.
Air New Zealand has operated seasonal direct flights to and from Auckland.
Tourism Minister and State Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Jetstar flights would allow travel to resume between the cities.
“The flights will go some way to alleviating the pain of losing Bonza Airlines from the local market,” he said.
A three-weekly service will also operate between Cairns and Christchurch from April 2025.
“These will be the 33rd and 34th routes secured through the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund,” Mr Healy said.
“The fund is estimated to deliver more than 2.26 million inbound international seats and up to $1.95 billion in overnight visitor spend per year, supporting 22,700 Queensland jobs.”
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli – who last week called on the state government to help address the fall-out from Bonza Airlines’ collapse – welcomed the new direct flights.
“I thank the state government for listening to our community’s concerns and responding promptly to our call to help support our local economy,” she said.
“While more needs to be done, the new Jetstar flights are a positive step forward.
“New Zealand is our largest international market, and the new flights will bring an influx of travellers, which will be a major boost for our tourism sector and local businesses.
“These flights will attract international visitors all year round and help so many local businesses flourish – from our coast to our hinterland.
“The Sunshine Coast is ready to welcome our Kiwi visitors and we know they will love our wide variety of attractions, accommodation and experiences.
“Plus, our locals who love to visit family and friends in NZ, or who want to holiday there, will appreciate the direct services year-round. This is great news for so many.”
Jetstar’s trans-Tasman trips start on December 13 and will operate every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The Auckland to Sunshine Coast flight JQ176 will depart 6.15am and arrive 6.45am; the Sunshine Coast to Auckland flight JQ175 will depart 8am and arrive 2.10pm.
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