The wait for international flights to return to Dunedin appears to be over.
The news was revealed in what appears to be an accidental announcement on the airport’s official YouTube channel.
The post, which was removed about 2.50pm yesterday, said Jetstar direct flights between Dunedin and the Gold Coast would return in June next year.
"We are so grateful for your support as we worked hard as a community to make this happen," it said.
"We know it’s been a long time coming, but we’ve done it, Dunedin!
"Now start spreading the word to all of your mates in Aussie to book a visit!"
Dunedin Airport business development general manager Megan Crawford said it had been working hard for the past four years to secure a transtasman service.
"There are lots of things that have to come together to make that happen, including experimenting with content for social media.
"There’s nothing to announce yet and we remain positive that the hard work will pay off for everyone," she said.
When asked about the airport’s post on YouTube, Enterprise Dunedin general manager John Christie said he knew an announcement was coming and it was "great news all around".
"I think congratulations need to be made to the airport for being able to attract the airlines back into the city.
"We’ll be really welcoming those Australian visitors wanting to come directly into the city."
The services would allow Dunedin residents to directly reconnect with friends and family across the Ditch, and also presented opportunities for conferencing and business events in the city.
There were also "tremendous opportunities" to market Dunedin to Australians, he said.
Jetstar did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.
Direct travel between Dunedin and Australia was severed when Virgin Australia Airlines suspended its New Zealand services at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, having previously offered two to three weekly flights from the city.
No other airline had stepped in to fill that void since border restrictions were lifted, although international flights have returned to Queenstown and new services — such as a direct link to the United States — have started out of Christchurch.
Dunedin Airport had offered a couple of one-off chartered international flights earlier this year, including three Qantas flights for the Pink concert in March and a Fiji Airlines flight which transported the supporters of the Fijian Drua to watch their team’s match against the Highlanders in May.
