Qantas to add two new routes to New Zealand domestic network

Qantas is to add two new routes to its New Zealand domestic network.

Qantas Airlines Regional General Manager New Zealand and Pacific Allan Williams said Qantas would begin flying its Boeing 737s between Christchurch and Rotorua and Christchurch and Wellington from 1 April.

"Qantas has operated jet services between Auckland and Wellington and Auckland and Christchurch since we established our New Zealand domestic operations in April 2001," Mr Williams said.

"We are now operating a fleet of five Boeing 737s and have progressively added services and destinations since then, including Christchurch-Queenstown in September last year and Auckland-Queenstown non-stop in October.

"Our new Christchurch-Rotorua services will be part of a same plane through service linking Queenstown and Rotorua via Christchurch.

"The new route will really appeal to domestic travellers as well as international visitors flying with Qantas into New Zealand.

"The new Christchurch-Wellington services will meet growing demand for business and leisure travel between the two cities."

From 1 April, Qantas will operate nearly 300 domestic flights each week as follows:

- Auckland/Christchurch 56 return services per week
- Auckland/Wellington 45 return services per week
- Christchurch/Queenstown 14 return services per week
- Christchurch/Wellington 14 return services per week
- Auckland/Queenstown seven return services per week
- Christchurch/Rotorua seven return services per week

Qantas is introducing the new services following a decision to no longer lease aircraft from or codeshare with New Zealand regional carrier Origin Pacific.

Mr Williams said the expansion of Qantas' New Zealand domestic jet network and flight timings will ensure the best possible connections to the airline's international network.

"Qantas currently operates more than 110 return trans-Tasman services per week into New Zealand and 10 return services each week between Auckland and Los Angeles," he said.

Seats on the new jet services went on sale from Saturday 24 January.