It comes after the airline announced in December it was cutting back on daily direct flights between Rotorua and Wellington due to “softened demand” on the route.
MPs Todd McClay and Rawiri Waititi spoke out against the reduction, with Waititi expressing “extreme disappointment” at the loss of the service.
Gripes about flight schedules, cancellations and costs in Rotorua were the top write-in issue raised in a 2024 survey of 99 local businesspeople.
The latest Rotorua Business Pulse Survey, released last week, showed almost one-third of responding air travellers never or rarely used Rotorua Airport.
Better flight schedules and greater reliability drove them to use Tauranga, Auckland and/or Hamilton.
Air New Zealand short-haul and domestic general manager Lucy Hall said in the statement the airline had heard from the Rotorua community that “better flight times” for business travel were a priority.
“We’re adjusting the schedule to meet that request. These changes will make it easier for locals to travel for work and return home the same evening.”
It was also adding more seats on the Auckland–Rotorua route by “up-gauging” to ATR aircraft for a 7% year-on-year capacity increase.
It was also increasing capacity on its Christchurch-Rotorua service by 4%.
The changes were aimed at eliminating the need for business customers to stay overnight, while also improving connectivity with Christchurch, Nelson, Dunedin and Queenstown.
Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer speaking at a December 2024 council meeting. Photo / Laura Smith
Hall said the changes supported the airline’s commitment to strengthening regional connections underpinning local business and tourism.
“Rotorua is an important part of our domestic network and we’re proud to offer a schedule that reflects the community’s needs,” she said.
Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer said the change to the ATR aircraft on the Auckland route would “enhance reliability and capacity for travellers”.
This supported the airport’s initiatives to improve reliability in recent years, including a newly designed flight path and updated minimum visibility clearance requirements.
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said the changes were “a welcome boost” for the region’s business community and visitors.
“We’re very grateful that Air New Zealand has listened to feedback from our community,” Tapsell said.
“We can’t underestimate the importance that reliable, well-timed air services are for our regions and this investment shows real confidence in Rotorua’s future.”