More larger planes are coming to Tauranga as the airport continues to defy the global downturn and attract more passengers.
The latest breakthrough will see the 68-seat ATR aircraft go from one evening service a week to five services a week between Auckland and Tauranga - Monday to Friday.
Airport manager Ray Dumble said the switch from the 50-seat Q300 aircraft will add 144 seats a week to the Auckland-Tauranga service.
"What's really cool is that we are constantly getting increases each time Air New Zealand renews its schedules."
He has witnessed a 250 per cent rise in the number of aircraft seats servicing Tauranga over the past 10 years, from 440 seats a day 10 years ago to over 1100 seats now.