Qantas increases new flights from Christchurch to Australia

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Qantas, the flagship carrier of Australia, is set to expand its service offering by increasing the frequency of its flights connecting Christchurch with Brisbane and Melbourne. This strategic enhancement, slated to commence from late October, is poised to introduce over 175,000 extra seats on these routes within a span of 12 months, marking a significant uptick compared to the airline’s existing flight schedule.

The expansion will see the Brisbane to Christchurch service elevate from its current daily operation to a range of 10 to 12 flights per week starting from late October. This adjustment aims to provide an additional 1,700 seats weekly for travelers on this route. Similarly, the Melbourne to Christchurch flights will witness an increase from a daily service to 12 flights per week during the December/January peak period, with the frequency adjusting to between 10 and 12 flights weekly throughout 2025. This change is set to contribute an extra 1,700 seats each week for the Melbourne-Christchurch route.

Justin Watson, the Chief Executive of Christchurch Airport, interprets Qantas’s decision as both a reaction to robust demand and a strong vote of confidence in Christchurch as well as the broader South Island region. Watson emphasizes the benefits of the additional flights, noting that they offer local residents enhanced flexibility in planning visits to friends and family in Australia, while also simplifying connections to long-haul destinations across Europe and Asia via Qantas’s extensive network.

Moreover, Watson highlights the significant positive impact these increased flights will have on the South Island’s economy. He points out that each arriving flight brings invaluable international visitors, whose presence bolsters local communities and businesses. With Qantas’s commitment to the Christchurch routes, the annual seat availability is expected to reach 500,000, promising sustained growth and prosperity for the region. This expansion underscores Qantas’s ongoing commitment to connecting New Zealand with the wider world, further solidified by its existing 14 weekly flights to Sydney and additional daily services provided in partnership with Emirates.

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