Jetstar yesterday announced a 26% increase in its transtasman services to Queenstown this winter, equating to an increase of up to 33 flights a week.
At a Queenstown Chamber of Commerce business luncheon in the resort, Jetstar New Zealand head Grant Kerr estimated that would bring about 22,000 additional passengers into the resort between March and October, who will inject an estimated $75 million into the local economy.
That was up from about $22 million spent last year, based on an average spend of $3800 per person, per trip.
The increased capacity includes thrice-weekly services between the Gold Coast and Queenstown launched in December and an additional Sydney-Queenstown service.
The total additional capacity compared with last winter would be 45%, Mr Kerr said.
While Queenstown was ''an icon'' and tourists - particularly from China - would continue to want to visit, the district at large faced challenges.
''How much more can the Queenstown region manage in respect of infrastructure?''
While evening flights, proposed to be introduced at Queenstown Airport next winter, could alleviate some of the issues, it also had the potential to remove money from the district, with visitors possibly leaving a day earlier rather than staying an extra night.
