THE industry has lauded Virgin Australia’s move to offer seasonal non-stop services to Auckland from Newcastle Airport, marking the NSW coastal city’s first international flights in more than 16 years (TD breaking news).
Travellers will be able to fly direct to Auckland from 22 Nov-17 Feb, with services to operate thrice weekly on Tue, Thu & Sat.
The flights are Newcastle Airport’s first direct Auckland services since a short-lived 2001 service operated by Air NZ’s defunct low-cost offshoot Freedom Air, which closed down eight years ago (TD 06 Sep 2007).
Purists will also note a brief direct Norfolk Island route – then classified as international – operated from Newcastle in 2007.
The new Virgin Australia route follows the development of a new $1.6 million terminal at NTL including customs and immigration facilities.
Airports Association of Australia ceo Caroline Wilkie said the new route would promote the local tourism market and give more people the opportunity to experience the Hunter region’s unique visitor offering.
Simon McGrath of AccorHotels also hailed the announcement, saying it would benefit both destinations and “pave the way for further international access into Australia via regional NSW”.
Source: traveldaily