Hamilton & Waikato Tourism has welcomed the announcement of Jetstar’s new morning jet service between Hamilton and Christchurch, further strengthening air links to the mighty Waikato.
The service adds to Jetstar’s existing flights from Sydney and the Gold Coast to Hamilton; and Air New Zealand’s new afternoon jet service connecting Hamilton and Christchurch. Together, these flights give visitors more choice and easier access to the Waikato region.
Nicola Greenwell
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism General Manager Nicola Greenwell says the additional flights are a major boost for leisure travellers, families and the business events sector.
“Jetstar have connected Australia to our region, and now adding Christchurch jet connections means Hamilton and the mighty Waikato is more accessible than ever before. Visitors have more choice and flexibility to experience everything we have to offer,” she said.
The Waikato is preparing for strong growth, with new hotels, the new regional theatre and international connections positioning the region as a premier destination.
“With international flights, the new regional theatre and new hotels opening, and now two jet connections from the South Island, the mighty Waikato is poised and ready for action,” Greenwell said.
She says the enhanced Christchurch–Hamilton route also highlights the shared strengths of the two regions.
“There are many similarities between Hamilton and Christchurch – we are both garden cities, river cities, and have passionate rugby fans. Visitors from the Garden City will now be able to explore our world-class Hamilton Gardens, enjoy our river walks, and rugby fans from Christchurch will have easier access to support their team here in Hamilton,” she said.
Jetstar’s new morning service is expected to attract more families, conference delegates and leisure travellers into Hamilton and the wider Waikato, boosting the visitor economy and regional growth.
3pm, 10 September 2025
Hamilton Airport has landed another boost for the Waikato economy, with Jetstar announcing it will start daily jet services between Hamilton and Christchurch from December.
The new service will deliver 186 extra seats each way, every day, adding 100,000-plus more passengers annually and lifting the airport’s total passenger count to more than half a million travellers each year.
Ben Langley
It’s the first time ever Jetstar has operated a domestic route out of Hamilton, and the first time two airlines will fly competing jet services on the same domestic route. Air New Zealand announced in May it would begin its own A320 Hamilton–Christchurch five day a week service from September 18, bringing domestic jets back to Hamilton for the first time in 25 years.
Hamilton Airport acting chief executive Ben Langley said both services will fuel regional growth.
“The addition of the Jetstar and Air NZ domestic jet flights boosts passenger numbers coming through the airport by around 60 per cent. That’s massive. More flights mean more jobs, more visitors, and faster connections for business. It’s a big vote of confidence in our region and in our airport,” he said.
Recent investments, including a new domestic lounge and expanded jet parking, paved the way for the new domestic jet services. Most of that work was done as part of a wider terminal refurbishment to enable international flights. Jetstar launched international flights from Hamilton to the Gold Coast and Sydney in June this year and offer flights every day of the week.
Langley said it was “always the plan” to create domestic jet opportunities on the back of the airport securing an international airline.
Air New Zealand and Jetstar will both provide jet services to Christchurch from Hamilton.
“Our strong focus was on getting the international Jetstar service up and running. We knew we had unlocked further growth potential but it’s fair to say the confirmation of domestic Jetstar flights out of Hamilton has come faster than we anticipated,” Langley said.
“The confidence shown by both Air New Zealand and Jetstar reinforces Hamilton’s role as a key regional hub and will give travellers more choice, more comfort, and faster travel.”
He would not comment on potential airline ticket prices but noted “competition is usually very good for customers.”
Nor would he comment on whether or not Hamilton Airport is talking specifically to any other airlines, including international carriers.
“We’re being proactive in that space and are working hard to sell Hamilton Airport as a very good business proposition. Our focus has been on creating an environment which gives airlines confidence, and we’re doing that.”
Jetstar will use A320 aircraft on its Hamilton-Christchurch route. Flights will arrive in Hamilton from Christchurch at 9.25am and depart for Christchurch at 10am.
Jetstar arrives in Hamilton
