Trans-Tasman alliance partners Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand today announced that they will introduce night flights between Queenstown and Australia for the first time during the 2017 ski season.

Subject to regulatory approval, Virgin Australia will operate night services from Queenstown to Brisbane on Friday and Sunday from 23 June 2017 while Air New Zealand will operate night services from Queenstown to Sydney on Saturday and Sunday from 1 July 2017. The new services are on sale from tomorrow, Wednesday 14 December 2016.

Together, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand will offer 38 return services each week between Australia and Queenstown during the 2017 ski season.

Virgin Australia Airlines Group Executive, John Thomas said: “As the popularity of Queenstown grows, particularly during the ski season, we are excited to be offering even more flexible scheduling options for our guests with these new night time Ski Shuttle services.

“Our new night flights from Queenstown to Brisbane enable Virgin Australia guests to enjoy a full day of skiing or snowboarding before travelling home.”

Air New Zealand Chief Revenue Officer Cam Wallace said: “Air New Zealand introduced the first domestic evening services between Auckland and Queenstown in May this year, and is pleased to be part of an alliance initiative to now offer customers trans-Tasman night flights.”

The additional services are as follows:

Brisbane to Queenstown

Sydney to Queenstown

Together Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand operate more than 200 return flights per week between Australia and New Zealand using A320, B737, B777 and B787 aircraft. Our joint network offers access from 44 destinations in Australia to 21 destinations in New Zealand.

The airlines will continue to work with the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority and Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority to establish the new services.