It’s been more than a decade since Hamilton last welcomed an international passenger flight, but that changed today.
Jetstar’s inaugural service from Sydney to the North Island city touched down just after 11am, reactivating a direct trans-Tasman link that’s been missing for 13 years.
The new route, JQ165, is part of a broader June rollout for Jetstar’s trans-Tasman network and is expected to inject nearly 75,000 low-fare seats annually into the market. With four return services each week, it opens up a new international gateway to heartland New Zealand for Australian travellers.
Where and when the flights operate
Flights between Sydney and Hamilton will run four times weekly using Jetstar’s Airbus A320 aircraft—both the classic A320ceo and the newer, more efficient A320neo. The latter brings a series of enhancements designed for today’s cost-conscious and comfort-savvy traveller: 40 per cent larger overhead bins, in-seat power, quieter engines, lower emissions and device-friendly seatbacks.
This week marks the start of a broader wave of Jetstar launches. Hamilton to Gold Coast flights kick off on Wednesday, followed by direct Dunedin to Gold Coast services later in June. In April, Jetstar added Christchurch–Cairns to its network, continuing a strong focus on connecting regional Australia and New Zealand.
Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Tully said the new services build on the airline’s long-standing presence in New Zealand, where it’s celebrating two decades of international flying and 16 years of domestic operations.
“We’re excited to bring international travel back to Hamilton with new direct flights from Sydney and the Gold Coast,” she said. “We know Kiwi travellers love our low fares and see huge potential for even more growth in the future.”
Jetstar helps Hamilton rise up (and yes, that’s a Hamilton he Musical reference)
Hamilton Airport Chief Executive Mark Morgan called the milestone a “momentous day”, acknowledging the effort required to restart international services.
“For Australians, there is a new international gateway directly into heartland New Zealand,” he said. “And here at home, it means Kiwis have another way to cross the Tasman that’s super-easy and affordable. Bring it on!”
Behind the scenes, airport staff and government agencies worked for months to re-establish customs and immigration capabilities. As the first international flight since 2012, today’s arrival tested every operational detail—from biosecurity to border control.
“This is hugely exciting for Hamilton, for the wider region and beyond,” Morgan said.
“It’s the result of hundreds of people working tirelessly to tick every single box required to stand up an international airport.”
Sale fares mark the launch
To kick off the route, Jetstar is offering one-way sale fares from Sydney to Hamilton starting at $169*. The launch promotion is available until 11.59pm AEST on Tuesday 17 June 2025, unless sold out prior. Fares are available via Jetstar.com and are subject to standard baggage and payment conditions.
Flight schedule summary
Sydney to Hamilton: Begins 16 June 2025, four flights per week
Hamilton to Gold Coast: Begins 18 June 2025
Dunedin to Gold Coast: Launching later in June
Christchurch to Cairns: Commenced in April
Aircraft types: Airbus A320ceo and A320neo
Inclusions (A320neo): In-seat power, larger overhead bins, device holders, modern ergonomic seating
What this means for the broader network
Jetstar’s trans-Tasman expansion comes at a time when demand for direct, short-haul international routes is on the rise. With high domestic airfares and a strong Australian dollar, more Australians are looking across the ditch for quick getaways—and Jetstar is positioning itself to capture that demand.
For agents, the expanded network makes point-to-point packaging easier and opens up lesser-known destinations like Hamilton and Dunedin to Aussie travellers who may otherwise fly into Auckland or Queenstown.
Hamilton itself is a strategic location, within a 90-minute drive of key North Island attractions including Hobbiton, the Waitomo Caves, and Rotorua. For Aussie travellers seeking a road trip itinerary or an alternative to busier hubs, it presents a new entry point with wide appeal.
Refocus on trans-Tasman growth
In related news, Qantas Group has confirmed it will shut down Singapore-based Jetstar Asia by 31 July 2025. The move will see 13 Airbus A320 aircraft reallocated to Australia and New Zealand to support domestic and trans-Tasman capacity more broadly.
While 16 intra-Asia routes will cease and over two decades of operations from Singapore will come to an end, Jetstar Airways (JQ) will continue operating Australia-Asia services to destinations such as Singapore, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam.
For Australian travel professionals, the strategic pivot points to a deeper focus on New Zealand and regional Australia—markets where Jetstar is already deploying added capacity and expanding its reach.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Jetstar’s return to Hamilton opens a fresh selling point for regional New Zealand travel—direct, affordable, and off the beaten Auckland track.
