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Rotorua Airport Update

  • Air New Zealand announces trans tasman services between Sydney and Rotorua

    August 7, 2009

    Air New Zealand have announced today that they will commence a twice weekly trans tasman service between Sydney and Rotorua from 12 December utilising a 152-seat Airbus A320 aircraft.

    Rotorua has long been a desirable destination for conferences and incentives from Australia, and this direct air service now offers a short flight option to the heart of the North Island.  With a wide range of hotel options, activities such as lake cruising, four wheel driving and offsite venues, Rotorua is an affordable all weather destination for any size conference group.

    Saturdays from 12 December
    Sydney-Rotorua 0920-1435
    Rotorua-Sydney 1535-1720

    Monday 21 and 28 December
    Rotorua-Sydney 0920-1105
    Sydney-Rotorua 1205-1720

    Monday 4/11/18/25 January
    Rotorua-Sydney 1330-1515
    Sydney-Rotorua 1615-2125

    Tuesdays from 2 February
    Sydney-Rotorua 0920-1435
    Rotorua-Sydney 1535-1720

    To receive further information or a copy of your Rotorua Convention Planner, click here

    Visit the Rotorua Airport website here: www.rotorua-airport.co.nz

  • Airport works on track for trans-Tasman services

    March 23, 2009

    Work on extending Rotorua Regional Airport's runway is right on track with contractors working on site day and night. Rotorua District Council chief executive Peter Guerin says there are no delays to the works programme and the airport remains on schedule to achieve full trans-Tasman readiness by July.

    "Private business flights from Australia are already operating directly into Rotorua, and we remain confident that regular scheduled services will be able to start before the end of the year. The interest in trans-Tasman flights by Australian tourism operators is very encouraging, and right throughout the Bay of Plenty and even further afield, there is a really positive air of anticipation," said Mr Guerin.

    Rotorua Regional Airport chairman, Neil Oppatt, said the runway will be longer than most in the country when the current southern extension is completed.

    "Rotorua's physical runway will reach 2.1 kilometres in length, longer than Wellington, Dunedin and Queenstown, all of which operate regular trans-Tasman flights," he said.

  • Official blessing of ground

    November 12, 2008

    An official blessing of the ground for the new runway extension at Rotorua Regional Airport was held on November 6, 2008.

    It was attended by local iwi, Rotorua District Council staff and councillors, Rotorua Regional Airport Board members and staff and contractors Fulton Hogan.

    Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters turned the first soil with an industrial digger.

    Construction on the extension at the southern end of the runway is now underway, with the $8.4 million project due for completion in mid-2009. It is hoped trans-Tasman flights will start in September 2009.

    Please keep checking back here for progress updates and further airport developments.

  • Tender contract approved

    October 22, 2008

    Direct trans-Tasman air services to Rotorua came another big step closer today with Rotorua District Council’s unanimous decision this morning [22 October] to let an $8.4 million airport extension contract to Bay of Plenty company, Fulton Hogan Ltd.

    The project could see the airport ready for international flights from Australia as early as June next year.

    Council district engineer, Nico Claassen, said a formal tendering process attracted five separate tenders, with Fulton Hogan coming out on top after a detailed evaluation of all bids.

    More info

    “We’re confident Fulton Hogan has the experience and expertise to undertake the project to our stringent specifications, and within the timeframe the contract demands. Equally important is the contract price which came in $2 million below estimates, a reflection of current highly competitive market conditions. “

    Mayor Kevin Winters said awarding the contract represented a monumental milestone in the five year long journey to attract direct flights from Australia and to give our local economy its biggest boost in years.

    “It’s just the sort of positive news we need in these gloomy economic times. I’m looking forward to those flights coming into Rotorua laden with excited Aussie tourists busting to spend some money in our city, along with a whole new market of conference and event delegates arriving for major events at our Energy Events Centre.   It’ll be a big shot in the arm for Rotorua, and the benefits will flow to all corners of our local economy.”

    Mayor Winters said that with long haul international tourism suffering from the current global economic meltdown, short haul trans-Tasman tourism business would play an increasingly vital part in the city’s future economic growth.

    “Our airport company is talking closely with a number of international carriers seriously interested in the route; and we know those airlines have been waiting to hear the news that the runway extension project is ‘all go’. The timing couldn’t be better for us – bring it on!”

    Mr Claassen said the project had been planned to be self-funding, largely from future airport revenues, and would not require funding from general rates.

    He said a huge amount of planning and preparatory work had been taking place over winter since the Environment Court gave the green light to the project, and physical on-site construction would get under way next month with completion expected midway through next year.