A direct air service between Tasmania and New Zealand will take flight later this month now final approvals have been given by the Australian Government.

Earlier this week, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, gave the green light to the trans-Tasman bubble between Australia and New Zealand, meaning unrestricted travel between the two countries from April 19.

Since then, the Hobart International Airport has been working with the Australian Government on the final approval required to allow the new Air New Zealand direct flights to Tasmania to commence.

These final approvals have now been granted, paving the way for our first flight to take off from Auckland to Hobart on April 22.

This inaugural flight will be the first direct flight across the Tasman to Tasmania in more than 20 years and we can’t wait to welcome our first visitors.

Air New Zealand has opened bookings from 7am this morning, with the first flight set to take off at 9.00am New Zealand time on April 22 and arrive in Hobart at 11.00am. It will then depart Hobart on the same day at 12.30pm, arriving in Auckland at 6.00pm. The flights will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.

Tasmania welcomes around 20,000 visitors every year from New Zealand and we only expect this to increase through the introduction of the new flights, creating benefits not only for our tourism industry, but also opportunities for Tasmanians to more easily reconnect with family and friends.

The Australian Government will have Australian Border Force arrangements in place at the Airport to support the new service, in addition to the upgrades undertaken by the Airport in readiness for the new flights.

Backing our tourism industry and encouraging visitors back to our island in a COVID-safe way is a priority for a majority Gutwein Liberal Government, as part of our clear Plan to Secure Tasmania’s Future.