International airline ramps up Brisbane routes
Thousands of extra seats across three routes out of Brisbane have been announced, to capitalise on the state’s top two-way international market.
Air New Zealand will add an extra 63,000 seats across routes to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in the new year – as demand for Trans-Tasman travel surges.
According to Brisbane Airport, New Zealand remains the top two-way market.
Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the boost in capacity on Brisbane-New Zealand routes would help keep up with soaring demand.
“More seats mean more opportunities for people to travel across the ditch, whether it is for trade, tourism or connecting with family and friends,” he said.
From March to October 2026, Brisbane to Auckland capacity will increase by 12 percent, while routes to Christchurch and Wellington will increase by seven percent. A new route between Brisbane and Queenstown will also launch in June next year through to October.
“We know the connection between Australia and Aotearoa is strong, and the seasonal uplift will make it even easier for Queenslanders and Kiwis to connect,” de Graaff said.
Air New Zealand general manager Australia Kathryn O’Brien said the new schedule reflected ongoing demand from both sides of the Tasman.
“Queenslanders continue to show strong interest in travelling across the Tasman to explore everything New Zealand has to offer, from our cities to our ski fields and everywhere in between. Brisbane is also a popular city for Kiwi expats, so it gives families and friends more opportunities to connect and arrange a visit,” O’Brien said.
“At the same time, we are seeing more New Zealanders choosing Brisbane for its warm climate, outdoor lifestyle and world class attractions. Increasing capacity and adding a new Queenstown service gives travellers even more choice and flexibility, while supporting the growing connectivity we are seeing in and out of Brisbane.”
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Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the announcement was a win for the state.
“Queensland is the home of the holiday—and it belongs on every traveller’s bucket list,” Powell said.
“As part of Destination 2045, we promised to secure more strategic connections to make it easier for tourists to visit Queensland.”
Brisbane Airport is now connected to 35 international destinations with international travel expected to rise by nine percent in the new year.
A record 25 million passengers are expected to pass through Brisbane Airport this year, with the airport investing $5 billion in the precinct over the next five years as part of the Future BNE transformation.
