Andrew Waddel, Regional Director for Tourism New Zealand in Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the increased flight options offered by Qantas. He noted that these additional flights were particularly advantageous for Australian travelers planning to visit New Zealand during the peak holiday period. With more frequent flights across major ports, travelers from Australia would now find greater flexibility to embark on their trips. Australians’ well-known appreciation for New Zealand’s serene coastlines, picturesque cycling routes, and distinctive culinary and wine experiences could now be better accommodated, especially during summer’s longer days and warmer temperatures. Waddel warmly welcomed Qantas’s decision, highlighting how the increased capacity would significantly benefit New Zealand’s tourism industry by introducing more Australians to its many attractions.

Qantas Strengthens Its Market Position

Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International, explained that the expansion of flights between Australia and New Zealand further solidified Qantas’s leadership during the busiest travel months. Wallace highlighted that the addition of nearly 60,000 seats compared to the previous summer presented travelers with significantly enhanced travel options. He emphasized that the capacity growth supported economic and tourism sectors on both sides of the Tasman Sea, benefiting travelers with increased convenience and choice. Wallace also pointed to earlier expansions, including new route announcements, the refurbishment of the Auckland lounge, and new trans-Tasman routes operated by Jetstar, signaling a comprehensive growth strategy that would attract even more international travelers.

Introducing Premium Travel Experiences with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Additionally, Qantas announced the introduction of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to the Auckland-Brisbane route starting in August 2025, expanding to daily service by October 2025. The Dreamliner’s inclusion meant that travelers would now have access to Premium Economy class on this popular route, significantly enhancing the travel experience with approximately 80% more premium seats. This move was expected to appeal to both leisure and business travelers seeking enhanced comfort and convenience, potentially setting a trend toward increased demand for premium international flights.

Specific Route Enhancements and Increased Frequencies

Qantas detailed the specific increases in flight frequency across several key trans-Tasman routes. The most notable increases were between:

• Sydney and Auckland (up by 16%)
• Sydney and Christchurch (up by 47%)
• Sydney and Wellington (up by 31%)
• Melbourne and Auckland (up by 23%)
• Melbourne and Christchurch (up by 26%)
• Melbourne and Queenstown (up by 50%)
• Brisbane and Queenstown (up by 75%)

Such substantial increases indicated a strategic focus on enhancing connectivity and meeting peak demand periods, benefiting both leisure and business travelers. For the global travel industry, these increased frequencies signified improved accessibility and more robust travel networks within the Australasian region, encouraging more international visits and potentially leading to growth in associated sectors such as hospitality and tour operations.

Broader Impacts on Global Travel Trends

The significant capacity expansion by Qantas across the Tasman Sea, amounting to over 3.3 million seats available between January 2025 and January 2026, would undoubtedly impact global travel trends. This expansion was expected to enhance Australasian routes’ attractiveness, influencing global travelers’ itinerary planning and increasing stopover tourism as more travelers would opt for convenient connections via major hubs like Auckland and Sydney. The ripple effect could see heightened global interest in combined Australia-New Zealand travel packages, benefiting regional economies extensively.

Impact on Wellington’s Tourism and Economy

Matt Clarke, Chief Executive of Wellington Airport, conveyed his strong approval of the Qantas announcement, emphasizing its positive implications for Wellington’s local tourism industry. He highlighted that more flight options translated directly into increased visitor capacity during the critical summer months, supporting local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Wellington Airport anticipated welcoming more Australian visitors, noting the substantial 31% increase in weekly flights between Wellington and Sydney—from 14 up to 19 flights weekly during the peak period of December 15, 2025, to January 26, 2026.

Clarke further underscored the strategic importance of the Qantas Group, stating it accounted for two-thirds of Wellington’s trans-Tasman capacity during the busy summer period. This increased capacity would make Wellington an even more attractive destination for travelers globally, especially from Asia and other international markets connecting through Australia, given Qantas’s extensive international network.

Key Changes in Wellington-Sydney Summer Flights

Qantas announced a substantial increase of 31% in flights between Wellington and Sydney during the peak summer period of December 15, 2025, to January 26, 2026. Travelers would now have access to up to 19 flights per week, a significant increase from the previous 14 flights per week. This would provide passengers with the flexibility of choosing from three daily Qantas flights to Sydney, five days per week, greatly enhancing convenience and competition.

Global Implications for Travelers

The increase in flights offered by Qantas not only represented a substantial upgrade in service and frequency between Australia and New Zealand but also hinted at broader impacts for international travelers globally. By significantly increasing travel capacity during peak periods, travelers from Europe, Asia, and North America who transit through Australia or New Zealand on long-haul routes would benefit from improved flight availability and easier access. The enhanced connectivity would likely boost New Zealand and Australia’s appeal as twin-destination stops for long-haul travelers, encouraging extended stays and greater exploration of both countries.

Ultimately, this strategic move by Qantas would ripple across global travel, potentially setting a precedent for other airlines looking to expand services in response to increasing international travel demands, further stimulating the travel industry’s recovery post-pandemic.

(News Source: Wellington Scoop)

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