The future of Dunedin's Brisbane air service is unknown following the end of an Air New Zealand-Virgin transtasman alliance.
Air New Zealand announced yesterday the alliance would end in October.
The airlines had co-operated on services between New Zealand and Australia since the end of 2010, but regulatory approval expired at the end of October and the parties would not apply for renewal.
Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said market dynamics on the Tasman route had changed, and the time was right for each airline to focus on its own objectives.
''This move will enable us to deliver a more consistent customer experience by using our own fleet and delivering an improved schedule, which we'll provide more details about shortly.''
The Brisbane flight is Dunedin's only remaining international service and has been run by Virgin, rather than Air New Zealand.
Dunedin Airport marketing and communications general manager Megan Crawford said it was unknown what the effect would be.
Dunedin Airport would continue to work with both partners until it knew what the decision meant for the Brisbane service.
The airport had already had a discussion on the issue with one of the airlines.
Air New Zealand had not given any indication of the future of the flight.
It was important Dunedin worked collaboratively on the issue, Ms Crawford said.
''We'll work with any airline. We just want to bring those visitors in.''
Ms Crawford said inbound numbers on the flight had improved, after some difficulties recently.
The airport had been doing plenty of work to attract passengers from Australia.
Queenstown Airport Corporation communications manager Jen Andrews said it was too early to say how the decision would affect the airport.
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It is to be hoped that the airlines maintain this route. It is vital for tourism and vital for Dunedin's continuing credibility as an international destination. Without at least one international flight Dunedin will fall off the radar altogether.
Virgin has been running a good service (in spite of the timetable changes). Is Air New Zealand finally to abandon Dunedin?
For the city's sake, please keep at least this service going.
What has Cull got to say about this? Surely a Mayor with any credibility would express his disappointment publicly to show he has the City/town/village's back. Or does Cull have or know of some golden IT teleporting facility that will take its place? What a letdown for such a "Buzzing" place aye Cull. This further places nails in Dunedin's coffin, Further pushes it towards Cull's Village. Comon Cull back your town where is the public disappointment, where is showing the public you are standing up for the city, Tim would be in their showing his city it. Do Dunedin and Ex Dunedin people a favour hand over the control to someone who has Dunedin's interests at heart.
Couldn't agree more. Even the horrid times we have to endure now are better than nothing, but as our elected representative, he really needs to step up to the plate on this one.
"Ms Crawford said inbound numbers on the flight had improved, after some difficulties recently." She's probably referring to when the airline changed the schedule to an unfriendly time. I'd rather fly via Chch than get up at ridiculous o'clock or land at 1am.
My bet is AirNZ won't replace it. The airport could get rid of the duty free area, which let's face it nobody ever used, and use the space to make much needed improvements to the transit lounges.
Last trip I took on this service the aircraft was half full going over and a third coming back and I paid only $378 return. If the locals wont support the service then its doomed. At the end of the day the company has to earn too. Also there are regular flights out of Queenstown...a 3 hour drive away........in the bigger picture of a large country, city and Airline that qualifies as an average commute to a large cities secondary airport. To those not happy, the best thing you could do to save this service is get online and book, book, book !
Melbourne flight gone, Coolangatta flight gone Sydney flight gone, Brisbane flight ???. getting in at 0100 am in the morning when it does get in has not helped the Brisbane connection . We lose this international we may never get another lets hope we don't
The locals did support the Brisbane connection with full flights either way when it was conducive to the demographic Mum dad and the kids the departure time and arrival time killed it for that group pie in the sky rubbish of the new flight times enabling ongoing connections in oz and attracting Ozzie tourists was trying to dress up a bum deal for the flight schedule
Is this the same Ms Crawford and co. that wanted the word 'International' removed from Dunedin International Airport because "it confused people" and fully supported the midnight arrival service over the more favorable 4:00 pm flights?
It was important Dunedin worked collaboratively on the issue, Ms Crawford said.
''We'll work with any airline. We just want to bring those visitors in.''
Make it happen! But I doubt you really care.