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International flights clear to land
I
NTERNATIONAL flights are set to return to Tasmania from January next year.
A deal between the State and Federal
Governments will see more than 130 direct
flights from New Zealand to Hobart with
about 30,000 international travellers each
year.
The new arrangement will see the
Federal Government invest $49.2 million
for about 30 Australian Border Force,
Australian Federal Police investigators and
biosecurity officers to make Hobart airport
an international gateway for three flights a
week from New Zealand and two flights a
week in winter.
Hobart International Airport acting CEO
Matt Cocker said the return of international
flights to Tasmania was the culmination of
years of hard work.
“Today’s announcement help Tasmania’s
economic recovery take off,” Mr Cocker
said.
“Our vision has been for Hobart to be a
truly international airport and it’s fantastic
both the state and federal governments
support that.
“It’s imperative we act quickly to
capitalise on the momentum and to help
Tasmania’s economic recovery.
“Obviously flights between Hobart and
New Zealand will be a huge boost for
tourism in Tasmania, but the infrastructure
upgrades will also create local jobs.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the
new arrangement realised the vision set
out in the Hobart City Deal and would be a
significant jobs boost.
“This deal will mean tourists from lowrisk areas can come to sample Tasmania’s
incredible experiences, sights and produce,”
Mr Morrison said.
Premier Peter Gutwein said his
Government would invest $10 million,
as part of a $17.5 million investment in
partnership with the airport’s owners, to
upgrade Hobart Airport’s infrastructure
to facilitate its international border
arrangements.
“This is a unique opportunity to
travel between two extraordinary island
destinations, and a terrific boost for
local jobs across our tourism sector,
including more jobs at our airport as we
undertake upgrades in the coming weeks to
accommodate international arrangements,”
Mr Gutwein said.
“This is a sensational coup in a
challenging year, and I invite New
Zealanders to come to Tasmania.”
Mr Gutwein said he recognised the
aviation industry was battling the impacts
of the pandemic, and the Tasmanian
Government would help underwrite the
services between Auckland and Hobart for
two years.
Assistant Regional Tourism Minister
Senator Jonno Duniam said New Zealand
was a critical visitor market for Australia.
TASMANIAN BUSINESS REPORTER, November 2020 17
