Queenstown Airport is welcoming new direct services between Queenstown and Brisbane by Air New Zealand and Jetstar, strengthening connections across the Tasman and offering more choice for travellers.

The additional capacity comes as Queenstown Airport celebrates a significant milestone, recording more than a million international passenger movements in a financial year for the first time. Total passenger movements in FY26 are expected to total about 2.8 million.

Queenstown Airport Chief Executive Shane O’Hare said the new Brisbane services reflect strong and sustained demand for travel between Queenstown and Australia.

“This region has long held a special place in the hearts of Australian travellers, and we continue to see that enduring popularity reflected in the strength of our trans-Tasman passenger numbers,” he said.

Jetstar’s first direct flight from Brisbane is due to arrive on Monday, 15 June, and the seasonal service will then operate three times a week until the end of September.

Air New Zealand will begin flying the route the following Monday, 22 June, providing three return services a week until 23 October. A key feature will be a 9.05am departure from Queenstown. Most trans-Tasman flights from Queenstown depart in the afternoon.

“These new direct services to Brisbane provide even greater choice and convenience for travellers, supporting tourism, trade, and the broader regional economy,” Mr O’Hare said. 
The new routes will also be warmly welcomed by local residents, particularly as winter sets in.

“While we are renowned as a winter destination, there’s also strong appeal for locals looking to swap snow for sunshine,” Mr O’Hare said.

“Direct access to Brisbane makes it easier than ever for Queenstown residents to enjoy a warm Queensland getaway during the colder months, and we are pleased that over winter all four international airplines operating at Queenstown will be serving the Brisbane route.”

Mr O’Hare said Queenstown Airport will continue to work with its airline partners and regional tourism organisations to support sustainable growth and new services.

The milestone of more than one million international passenger movements in a single financial year underscored the importance of visitors from Australia and further afield to Queenstown, he said.

  • International passenger numbers at ZQN have been steadily increasing over recent years and now make up about 35% of all passenger movements at ZQN year-round, compared with about 30% pre-COVID.
  • In FY25 there were 944,225 international passenger arrivals and departures, and Queenstown Airport is forecasting 1,066,000 for the full FY26 year.
  • In FY25 there were 2.6 million total passengers and Queenstown Airport is forecasting 2.8 million for FY26.
  • The introduction of night flights 10 years ago in May 2016 also made Queenstown more accessible. Here’s a link to a blog and some information about that.
  • Qantas and Virgin Australia operate year-round direct services between Queenstown and Brisbane.