Air New Zealand To Cut Invercargill To Wellington Direct Flights
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- Air New Zealand to cut direct Invercargill-Wellington flight from January 2025.
- Mayor Clark and Southland Business Chamber CEO raise concerns over regional connectivity.
- Air New Zealand cites low demand and aircraft shortages for cutting the direct route.
Air New Zealand has announced it will discontinue its direct flights between Wellington and Invercargill starting from January 19, 2025. The airline attributes this decision to a decline in domestic demand and challenges linked to a “tough economic backdrop,” according to Air New Zealand’s domestic general manager Scott Carr. Related: Air New Zealand Reduces Capacity on More Key Routes
“A direct flight between the capital and the bottom of the South Island has been cut by Air New Zealand, citing a drop in local travellers,” Carr said. He added that more flights would be added between Christchurch and Invercargill to ensure sufficient capacity.
Carr acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, “We understand the change may cause some inconvenience for some travellers.” He also assured that the airline remains committed to maintaining Invercargill’s connections to other destinations, particularly through Christchurch and Auckland.
Invercargill City Mayor Nobby Clark expressed concerns about the impact this would have on regional connectivity. “The pressure that Air New Zealand is facing, not just with Southland, but other regions, is due to reduced public service numbers in Wellington,” said Clark.
He noted that the new flight arrangements will make it difficult for Southland residents to attend early morning meetings in Wellington without travelling the night before. “Many meetings start at 8:30 or quarter to nine in the morning, and with these changes, we might miss the first part of them,” Clark said.
Clark added that when ministers travel to the regions, they have flexibility with flight options. “But when we’re travelling, we don’t have the ability to say, ‘Hey, this is too early a start. We can’t get there on time,’” he explained.
Southland Business Chamber CEO Sheree Carey expressed disappointment about the decision. “Understand the challenges that Air New Zealand faces, this news is disappointing for our community, particularly for businesses and individuals who rely on this vital link to our nation’s capital. Direct flights play a crucial role in fostering connections for business travel, tourism, and personal journeys, and losing this service could impact our local economy and accessibility.”