Fewer Tauranga people wishing to fly to Christchurch will have to put up with a transfer at Wellington or Auckland airports with Air New Zealand announcing on Tuesday an increase of direct flights between the two cities.
The number of direct flights between the cities is to more than double from five per week to 11 per week; a weekly seat capacity increase of 120 per cent.

Air New Zealand is doubling the number of flights between Christchurch and Tauranga.

Other regional flight increases are:
Invercargill - Wellington up 63 per cent
New Plymouth - Christchurch up 20 per cent
Palmerston North - Christchurch up 113 per cent
Palmerston North - Auckland up 1.7 per cent
Napier - Auckland up 4.5 per cent

"The additional capacity is being introduced as we start to see signs of the anticipated recovery in demand for domestic travel within New Zealand," says Air New Zealand group general manager Australasia Bruce Parton.
"In response to customer feedback the additional flights at peak times facilitate same-day travel for business travellers, enabling them to maximise their time in Christchurch."