Region hit by Air NZ flight cuts

Dunedin International Airport will have no international flights for several months of the year, following Air New Zealand's announcement the airline will reduce its transtasman services.

Air New Zealand confirmed it would continue services to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne - albeit on a seasonal basis.

The Sydney and Melbourne services would be offered over a shortened summer season, with the Brisbane service to be offered during the peak winter months.

The announcement effectively means there will be no transtasman flights in February, March, April, or November.

Air New Zealand Tasman Pacific Airline general manager Glen Sowry said the "reductions on our Tasman network are not unique to Dunedin, with changes to frequency and capacity occurring across a number of routes as a result of fewer people flying in the current economic climate".

"We're determined to make transtasman services from Dunedin a success and I hope we continue to get the support of the region and see all transtasman routes grow."

However, Tourism Dunedin chief executive Hamish Saxton said it was "extremely disappointing" not to have services for a third of the year.

The airline had chosen to operate at times of the year when the routes were profitable, and "it makes it very difficult for us to market Dunedin if there is a restriction in flights".

"It is not an attractive proposition to promote these services - they are infrequent and too limited."

The move would lead to fewer Australians visiting Dunedin, with more Otago people opting to fly from Christchurch, which is "proving to be too attractive for Southern travellers".

One Dunedin-based travel agent said Air New Zealand's decision would open up the opportunity for competitors to fly the route.

"The move leaves a gap for a competitor," Vincent George House of Travel director Vincent George said Offering transtasman flights for reduced periods was "the writing on the wall" for the airline, effectively giving competitors the opportunity to operate from Dunedin International Airport, he said.

Air New Zealand flights from Dunedin were too expensive and passengers were electing to fly from Christchurch, which benefited from competition on the transtasman route, Mr George said.