Air New Zealand resumed flights to Queenstown yesterday, with one from Auckland arriving at midday.
Qantas and Jetstar flights from Australia were still grounded yesterday as the rising Chilean volcanic ash cloud continued to disrupt the carriers' flight paths.
Thousands of international air passengers stranded in New Zealand by ash from a Chilean volcano are hoping for some good news today as airlines reassess their decision to cancel flights.
Jetstar will begin flying between Dunedin and Auckland, with the low-cost carrier promising competition and an end to price "gouging".
An airline price war prompted consumers to snap up thousands of cut-price tickets out of Dunedin yesterday, following the entry of low-cost carrier Jetstar to the city.
Former mayor Warren Cooper has questioned why the Queenstown Lakes District Council now wants to consult on the strategic alliance between Queenstown and Auckland Airports, a deal he regards as a "fait accompli" it having been announced in July.
Southern cities Dunedin and Invercargill are firmly on Jetstar's radar, as the budget airline launches an aggressive expansion phase in New Zealand following the departure of Pacific Blue.
Jetstar is backing Queenstown Airport Corporation's proposals to allow flying at night and to extend operating hours to open up new tourism opportunities in Australia.
Jetstar estimates the number of flight diversions into Queenstown Airport due to bad weather will reduce from more than 10% to less than 1%, following the installation of the latest Required Navigation Performance (RNP) equipment in its entire New Zealand fleet.
Auckland International Airport Ltd says a new service from Auckland to Singapore by low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways is significant because it extends the low-cost carrier model to longer haul destinations.
At least 400 people were affected by disruptions to flights to and from Queenstown Airport because of low cloud this week.
Passengers stranded in Thailand for two days when their Jetstar flight was repeatedly delayed have finally touched down in Sydney, with some vowing never to use the budget airline again.