Virgin Australia confirms seasonal non-stops to Auckland.
Newcastle Airport north of Sydney has announced its first international route in 16 years, with travellers able to fly directly to Auckland from 22 November 2018 through until 17 February 2019.
The seasonal Virgin Australia services will operate thrice weekly, with the move said to “open up a range of travel and tourism opportunities”.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael McCormack, has just unveiled the new route in a ceremony at the airport, with the service seeing VA the first carrier to provide an international service from the upgraded Newcastle Airport terminal.
“These flights will help drive regional tourism growth and dispersal of visitors to Australia’s most popular tourism destinations,” McCormack said.
VA gm of Network, Revenue and Alliances, Russell Shaw, said “Virgin Australia is proud to provide the regional New South Wales community with increased travel choices and convenience, and a much more seamless international travel experience”.
And Newcastle Airport ceo Peter Cock said community support for direct international services had been extremely strong. “New Zealand is our number one unserved market, so it is fitting that the first flight through our new international facilities will be servicing Auckland”.
Flights are now on sale starting at $199 one way, excluding checked baggage.
More information in tomorrow’s issue of Travel Daily.