There’s something heartwarming about watching a long-awaited plan finally take flight – literally, as Zoe Macfarlane hopped onboard Jetstar’s inaugural service from the Gold Coast to Dunedin for Karryon. The three-hour journey marked the return of international flights to Dunedin after five long years.
Jetstar’s first-ever flight to Dunedin may have taken off with minimal fanfare in Coolangatta – with the Gold Coast’s favourite Milkman’s cookie and a warm welcome aboard – but its arrival in Dunedin was anything but low-key.
After a five-year hiatus on international flights, Dunedin Airport threw open its doors – and its heart – welcoming travellers from the Gold Coast on Jetstar’s first-ever flight to the southern city.
Live music, baked goods, welcome drinks from local brewery Emerson’s, and a festival-like buzz from the orange-clad crew set the tone that this wasn’t only a new flight but a union long in the making.
“We proudly formed part of the international network for 25 years,” said Dunedin Airport CEO Daniel De Bono. “Then that big thing – let’s not name it – hit the pause button.
“Well, guess what? Today, we hit play again. We’re back… and we are beyond proud.”
A gateway opens
Jetstar’s new route will deliver 58,000 seats annually, connecting the Sunshine State with the Edinburgh of the South. Weekly departures take off on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with Saturday bookings already strong.
Shelley Musk, Head of Jetstar New Zealand made a rallying cry for travel agents and travellers for those mid-week seats: “We’ve chosen you, and now we need you to choose us”.
Community-powered comeback
Beyond the new flight itself, the theme of the event celebrated community, commitment, and collaboration.
Regional tourism bodies, MPs, airline execs, and local legends like Benjamin Patterson -who spearheaded the campaign to reinstate Dunedin’s international flights – came together to mark what felt like the start of something bigger.
“This new service strengthens two-way connectivity, and I like the collaboration. Many hearts and hands have worked as one,” said Louise Upston, Minister of Tourism.
Today’s inaugural flight aligns with the New Zealand government’s recent announcement of a $47.9 million investment in tourism to drive visitation.
Upston commented, “Better connectivity with Australia means more choice for the four million Australians who are actively considering a holiday in New Zealand.
“An option for them to fly into Dunedin helps them make that decision to get on a plane, and that benefits locally, regionally and, of course, nationally.”
Low fares, high hopes
Musk confirmed the carrier’s commitment to the region. “This isn’t just another route for us,” she said. “We’ve brought 285,000 low-fare seats into New Zealand this year alone, and 58,000 of those are dedicated to Dunedin.”
She continued that the airline’s New Zealand on-time performance sits at 78% with a low cancellation rate of 1.5%. For Dunedin, that cancellation rate was zero, “a stat we’re really proud of”.
Gold Coast Airport General Manager Amanda Byrne added that this route is part of a broader Tasman strategy, making Gold Coast the most connected Australian airport to New Zealand, now serving six NZ destinations. “We already process more Kiwi than Australian passports through our terminals,” she quipped.
The Gold Coast also provides easy connections to ten domestic ports, including Cairns, Perth, Melbourne, and Darwin (to be announced this week), making it a strategic stopover for Kiwis and a convenient gateway for Aussies heading to the South Island.
Take the Southern Way
It’s not only Dunedin that benefits from the new Jetstar route. The Southern Way collaboration – a partnership spanning eight regional tourism organisations – is working to disperse international visitors throughout the lower South Island.
Mayor Jules Radich highlighted Dunedin’s culture and heritage as major drawcards, with wildlife, surf beaches and colonial architecture rounding out the appeal.
Buildings across the city, from the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum to the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, were lit in Jetstar orange to welcome the new service. A literal and symbolic illumination of a city ready to connect to Southeast Queensland and beyond.
Daniel De Bono concluded, “This flight brings opportunity and is a moment of pride, partnership, and purpose for Dunedin.”
