Airline Pacific Blue is expanding its trans-Tasman services, adding a daily return flight between Auckland and Melbourne from September.
The Australian airline is starting the flights after it added an eighth aircraft to its Christchurch-based fleet.
Spokesman Phil Boeyen says the airline sees further potential on the trans-Tasman sector despite the current level of competition.
And he says the eighth aircraft gives Pacific Blue enough capacity to look at a further international route out of New Zealand.
Auckland Airport says the new daily flights will equate to more than 130,000 extra seats available a year.
