Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) will terminate its Rotorua to Sydney Kingsford Smith flights in April 2015 after the Rotorua District Council decided to withdraw the route's NZD1million (USD0.785million) annual subsidy. The route is the airport's only scheduled international flight.
“The New Zealand aviation market has changed significantly in recent years, resulting in airlines shifting Trans-Tasman flights away from regional hubs to major ports. Rotorua’s close proximity to Auckland International means it is also difficult for the regional Trans-Tasman route to be justified by the airline," airport chief executive, Alastair Rhodes, said. “Ultimately it is the airline’s decision on where to fly and obviously this must be commercially sustainable. Each party has made their respective decision in relation to the flights – Air New Zealand, Rotorua District Council and the Airport – and we all acknowledge that the Trans-Tasman schedule is not viable in today’s operating environment."
The last Sydney-bound flight will be on April 25, 2015.
Situated in the north of New Zealand's North Island, Rotorua is also connected to Auckland by Eagle Airways (Hamilton, NZ) and Air Nelson (Nelson, NZ); to Christchurch by Mount Cook Airline and Air Nelson; to Queenstown International by Mount Cook Airline (Christchurch); and to Wellington by Air Nelson. All flights are operated on behalf of Air New Zealand.
“We need to focus our network efforts on where we have a competitive advantage – building strong North to South Island tourism links and looking at opportunities to develop a direct Rotorua – Queenstown service. Our focus for the coming year will be on strengthening these links to provide better access for locals and businesses, as well as building stronger alliances with airports such as Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown," Rhodes added.
