The Hamilton Airport will soon have domestic flights. Photo: Supplied
Domestic jet services return to Hamilton for the first time in 25 years, in what one business leader is calling a clear sign of the region's "growing importance".
The Air New Zealand A320 jet from Christchurch was expected to touch down in Hamilton at 4.20pm on Thursday and from then on it would fly five times a week, along with the current daily ATR 72 turboprop aircraft services.
Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good said the region was well serviced by the Waikato Expressway, the railway and inland port at Ruakura, and now the resurgent airport.
"The Christchurch jet flights are a clear sign that the airlines have recognised Hamilton and the Waikato as the logistics capital of New Zealand and along with rural Canterbury is one of the regions which will lead New Zealand out of our current recession," Good said.
The region had been waiting a long time for jet services to return, he said.
"There's been a call for jets out of Hamilton for decades, ever since they pulled out in the 2000's."
The new domestic flights come a few months after international flights returned to Hamilton, after not occurring for over a decade.
Good said he understood the Jetstar international flights between Hamilton and Sydney and Gold Coast were full.
Jetstar offers flights to parts of Australia from Hamilton. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"New business is coming to the airport, and this new jet flight to Christchurch simply confirms that the airlines have seen the opportunities that lie here in the Waikato," he said.
Last week Jetstar announced it would also start a new daily jet service between Hamilton and Christchurch from December 1, 2025. It will be the first time two airlines will fly competing jet services on the same domestic route.
Hamilton Airport acting chief executive Ben Langley said both services would fuel regional growth.
"The addition of the Jetstar and Air NZ domestic jet flights boosts passenger numbers coming through the airport by around 60 per cent. That's massive. More flights mean more jobs, more visitors, and faster connections for business. It's a big vote of confidence in our region and in our airport," he said.
Acting Hamilton Airport chief executive Ben Langley. Photo: Stephen Barker / SUPPLIED
Langley would not comment on potential airline ticket prices but noted "competition is usually very good for customers."
Nor would he comment on whether or not Hamilton Airport was talking specifically to any other airlines, including international carriers.
"We're being proactive in that space and are working hard to sell Hamilton Airport as a very good business proposition. Our focus has been on creating an environment which gives airlines confidence, and we're doing that."
Good said the airport had become one of the gems in the resurgence of the Waikato economy but the fact the services were going to Christchurch was also key.
"Canterbury and Christchurch, Hamilton and the Waikato, share a lot in common and I think these flights will be well subscribed and I think the regions themselves are actually starting to see more than green shoots, I think there is a little bit of a boom starting to happen."
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