GARUDA Airlines is planning to begin direct flights to Auckland, a move which will expand the Kiwi market for Indonesia and boost arrivals to New Zealand. There are currently no direct services between the two countries.
In a press release, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) said the MoU signing between Garuda Airlines and Auckland International Airport this week signalled “an intention from Garuda Airlines to begin a direct service from Indonesia to Auckland as soon as market conditions and aircraft availability allow”.
This development follows on the heels of Air New Zealand’s plan to launch twice-weekly flights from Auckland to Bali during the peak season from June to October.
TNZ chief executive, Kevin Bowler, said the news was timely as South-east Asia had become a new focus for the NTO’s marketing efforts.
TNZ will conduct further market analysis to learn more about Indonesia’s travel trade and consumers, as well as discuss collaboration opportunities with Garuda Airlines and Indonesian sellers.
“Indonesia is a small but growing tourism market for New Zealand. A new carrier into New Zealand offers the tourism industry an opportunity to attract greater number of Indonesians in coming years,” he said.
New Zealand received 11,824 Indonesian visitors in the year up to February, representing a year-on-year increase of 22.5 per cent.
