9 Dec 2009

Air NZ to start Rotorua - Sydney direct flights

12:32 pm on 9 December 2009

Air New Zealand will commence twice-weekly flights between Rotorua and Sydney from Saturday.

The move is aimed to attract travellers from Australia and Asia.

Rotorua Airport has been trying to secure an international carrier for almost a decade.

It estimates the service may create between 70 - 130 new jobs in the region and potentially contribute between $6.8 million - $12.3 million to the local economy over time.

More than 205,000 Australians visited Rotorua in 2007. This is forecast to rise by more than 60,000 per year by the end of 2014.