The airports of Christchurch and sister city Adelaide have announced they will work together to secure a direct air service between the two cities in a deal tipped to pump millions into the South Island economy.
Christchurch Airport is also behind a campaign aimed at challenging Australians' perceptions of the gateway to the South Island in the wake of the earthquakes.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed to link one of the largest unserviced city pairs in New Zealand and Australia, with the intention of benefiting business, freight and tourism.
Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult, of Lake Hayes, said the initiative had been under discussion by the two airports for more than three months.
"The recent new Open Skies policy over Christchurch until mid-2017 means any carrier can consider this opportunity, depending on its own air service agreements with Australia," Mr Boult said.
"The support package we'll offer the first airline to serve the route is valued at NZ$7.5 million, depending on the exchange rate at the time."
A direct daily service could be worth as much as NZ$30 million to the regional and South Island economy, the airport said.
