Trans-Tasman travel demand is booming – and airlines are rising to meet it

A welcome boost to corporate travel capacity

Despite a slight increase in average airfares this year – up around 3% on Q1 2024 – there’s positive movement on the horizon. One of the most anticipated developments is the return of Qantas’ non-stop Adelaide to Auckland service from 31 October 2025. This seasonal route will see an additional 30,000 seats added to the network, reconnecting South Australia to New Zealand’s busiest airport just in time for peak travel season.
It’s a big win for business travellers, especially those in industries like manufacturing, construction, services, IT and finance, where Auckland continues to be a critical hub for cross-border partnerships and operations.

Qantas expands trans-Tasman flying for summer

The good news doesn’t stop there. Qantas is also ramping up capacity across several popular trans-Tasman routes, offering more choice and flexibility for corporates heading across the ditch. From mid-December, travellers can look forward to:

• Double daily flights between Sydney and Christchurch
• 10 weekly return flights between Brisbane and Wellington
• 9 weekly return flights between Brisbane and Christchurch

This adds around 15,000 additional seats for the summer peak period – giving businesses more options to travel when and how they want.

First trans-Tasman route announced from Western Sydney International

Adding even more opportunity for the corporate sector, the first international route from Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has just been confirmed – and it’s a trans-Tasman link.
Jetstar will operate three flights per week to Auckland starting in mid-2026, marking a milestone moment for the new airport. The launch is backed by the Australian Government’s $48 million Take-Off Partnership Fund, which aims to accelerate aviation growth and drive demand for the Western Sydney region.

The WSI–Auckland connection is set to provide faster and more convenient access to New Zealand for corporate travellers located in Sydney’s western and south-western suburbs – home to many of Australia’s fastest-growing business precincts.
For businesses, it’s another win. More airport access points mean greater flexibility, reduced travel time to the airport, and a smoother overall travel experience.

Australia and New Zealand: A powerhouse partnership

Australia and New Zealand don’t just share a close proximity – they also share values, trade interests and a deep economic connection. With two-way trade reaching $32.76 billion in 2024, the trans-Tasman relationship continues to be one of our most important.

For corporate travellers, that means regular, reliable, and cost-effective flights are essential to keeping business moving. These new services are a welcome step in strengthening that connection.

“These additional flights will go a long way in improving the constraints we’ve been seeing and reducing the cost of travel to one of our most important trade partners,” says Tom Walley, Global Managing Director at Corporate Traveller. “It means strong business relationships can keep growing, with fewer barriers in the way.”

Growing domestic links within New Zealand, too

For those connecting to regional areas or multiple cities, Air New Zealand is also making moves to improve the travel experience. From November, the airline will operate larger A321neo aircraft on three of its busiest domestic routes: Auckland to Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown. That means more seats, greater availability, and smoother onward connections for business travellers.

The bottom line?

Trans-Tasman travel is surging – and airlines are rising to meet the moment. With new flights, more seats, and growing capacity, corporate travellers will have even more opportunities to connect, collaborate and grow across the ditch.
Whether you're strengthening long-standing partnerships or exploring new business frontiers, now is the time to make the most of what’s ahead.
 

About Flight Centre Travel Group

The Flight Centre Travel Group is one of the world’s largest travel retailers and corporate travel managers. The company, which is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, has company-owned leisure and corporate travel business in dozens of countries, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Asia. ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) also operates the global FCM corporate travel management network, which extends to more than 100 countries through company-owned businesses and independent licensees, along with Corporate Traveller, the flagship business specific to the small-to-medium-sized enterprise sector. For more information, visit fctgl.com.