Air NZ to launch Hobart - Auckland services

[AviationNZ]

Just announced now...two flights per week once the bubble is established.

Transtasman bubble: Air NZ reveals plans for Auckland-Hobart route

Bubble permitting, there will be two non-stop flights a week to the Tasmanian capital.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[RooFlyer]

Good stuff. Looks like NZ for my first overseas jaunt.

A bit more from the Oz on-line:

Kiwis will be able to fly directly to Hobart with no COVID-19 quarantine requirement as soon as Anzac Day, under a deal between Air New Zealand and the Tasmanian government.

The direct route – the first for more than 20 years – was announced on Friday by Premier Peter Gutwein, who invited Kiwi PM Jacinda Ardern to be among the first arrivals.

Mr Gutwein would not reveal the extent of a subsidy being provided to Air NZ under the two-year deal, citing commercial in confidence, but said it would depend on the volume of passengers.

I was visiting Richmond when I spotted a CX aircraft on final approach into HBA on 30 December...

Yes, CX cargo flights have continued to operate until recently (fresh summer produce for HKG).

 

[Stealthflyer]

Air NZ! I wouldn’t have guessed they’d be the first to give the route a go. I’d love to know what the subsidy is.

I’m looking forward to visiting NZ soon. It’ll be so great to not have to worry about connecting in Melbourne!

 

[Coops1]

Fantastic overseas flights from Hobart are back. Disappointed that it's an A320 Neo......No business class and only Economy Plus

 

[RooFlyer]

After a couple of weeks of service, Hobart airport CEO on radio this morning said that the flights had been “half full”.

 

[Coops1]

After a couple of weeks of service, Hobart airport CEO on radio this morning said that the flights had been “half full”.

So between about a third and half full

Out of interest, pax loads back in the 90's on TE217 ex CHC were down to around 25 towards the end, sometimes lower.

 

[Mattg]

After a couple of weeks of service, Hobart airport CEO on radio this morning said that the flights had been “half full”.

Was this in line with expectations?

 

[RooFlyer]

Was this in line with expectations?

I think they were certainly hoping for more, given (assumed) pent up demand, and the novelty.

If Qantas has been on the route, I would have done it.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

To be fair it hasn't been on sale long, and even the main routes have been struggling. Some flight cancellations due to very low loads (as in single figures or low double figures).

 

[RooFlyer]

According to local ABC radio, Air NZ today said that their forward bookings (ie school hoilidays) for the HBA-AKL route were the best of 'any Australian route'. I find that surprising!

 

[jakeseven7]

According to local ABC radio, Air NZ today said that their forward bookings (ie school hoilidays) for the HBA-AKL route were the best of 'any Australian route'. I find that surprising!

Well the loads in general across the Tasman have been rubbish so wouldn’t be a high hurdle unfortunately so this statement could well be true.

 

[dajop]

According to local ABC radio, Air NZ today said that their forward bookings (ie school hoilidays) for the HBA-AKL route were the best of 'any Australian route'. I find that surprising!

No (?) or very little HQ in Tasmania, so place least likely to have an outbreak and have the bubble closed? (Which translates to greater confidence).

 

[RooFlyer]

No (?) or very little HQ in Tasmania

Only HQ is for Pacific Islander fruit pickers. Very, very low risk.

 

[RooFlyer]

Found it. Hobart Mockery Mercury on-line (in part)

Sweet as, bro: New Zealanders rush to board direct Hobart fights
New Zealanders are lining up to cross the Ditch with direct flights to Hobart receiving the best forward bookings of any of Air New Zealand’s trans-Tasman routes.

“COME on over, we’re the safest place on the planet,” Premier Peter Gutwein has told Kiwis — who have flocked to book direct flights to Hobart.

Air New Zealand has reported the twice-weekly service has the best forward bookings of any of its trans-Tasman markets.

Direct Auckland-Hobart flights have operated since April and will be expanded to thrice-weekly over summer.

The Premier said he was particularly delighted at the strength of bookings reported between July and October, which is outside the traditional busy summer tourism season.

“It is fantastic to see how keen New Zealanders are to come and explore what Tasmania has to offer, and this has been a great boost for our tourism industry,” he said.

“We saw a real surge just before Dark mof_ and we know Kiwis love to travel for great events so Tasmania is well-placed to deliver those experiences.

 

[Mattg]

According to local ABC radio, Air NZ today said that their forward bookings (ie school hoilidays) for the HBA-AKL route were the best of 'any Australian route'. I find that surprising!

Must be this month’s Kia Ora magazine

 

[RooFlyer]

HAB-AKL frequency going to 3 x weekly in December.

Sweet as, bro: Air New Zealand expands direct Hobart-NZ service
In part:

Mr Carter is delighted that after 23 years without a direct air link to New Zealand, the service, which began in April, is proving a success.

“It always takes time to grow into a new route and it is in its infancy but the forward bookings from July to October are very strong in what is usually a quiet time for Tasmania,” he said.

“It is good to see two sets of islands building strong links.”

Mr Carter is hopeful that post Covid other international links, such as to Singapore and Hong Kong, might be established.

“We need to bed the New Zealand service and make sure we use it so it stays,” he said,

He is hopeful there will again be cargo flights of fresh produce to Hong Kong this summer after 21 flights earlier this year.

 

[Mattg]

This route is now coming back 2x weekly from 14 April 2022.

 

[jase05]

This route is now coming back 2x weekly from 14 April 2022.

Still in the single class A320 though I presume?

 

[RooFlyer]

This route is now coming back 2x weekly from 14 April 2022.

Good stuff. Although the CEO of Hobart Airport was on ABC radio this morning (celebrating a record day for HBA - 41 flights!) and was asked that very question - when would HBA-AKL resume? His answer "Don't know ... NZ is re-opening in April, so hopefully sometime after that".

 

[Mattg]

Still in the single class A320 though I presume?

Yes.