Flights in and out of the Bay of Plenty just got a whole lot cheaper, exciting business leaders, politicians, and residents.
Air New Zealand has shrunk fares for 41 domestic routes around the country, as part of the biggest overhaul of its domestic pricing structure in more than a decade.
From yesterday, fares between Tauranga and Auckland started at $39, and flights from Tauranga to Wellington at $49.
The prices apply to trips from March 25 onwards.
Bay of Plenty Tourism chief executive Kristin Dunne said the organisation had been working with Air New Zealand to increase leisure travel into the Bay for a while.
Tauranga Chamber Of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec said: "With the upgraded airport and other recent improvements to services, Tauranga will now be a much more attractive and affordable destination for many."
"Combined with the extra services that were added into Tauranga by Air New Zealand recently, it should see a huge boost in domestic air travel in and out of Tauranga."
Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless said the reduced fares were good for the city but he remained sceptical.
A search yesterday afternoon of flights from Tauranga to Wellington on March 26 revealed flights as low as $49 one way. The search also found flights for $200 and $289 each one way.
"I do think we pay a lot, so it's time they did come down and good on them for making an effort."
Brownless said people have previously paid more to fly to Wellington than what it costs to fly to Sydney, Australia.
In terms of the potential impact from the reduced fares, he said: "The proof will be in the pudding."
Nigel Tutt, economic chief executive of development organisation Priority One, echoed this sentiment, stating connecting with other cities was very important for the business community.
"Prices in the past have been a sore point so this will make it easier to get around. The business community has been pretty vocal about that so it's good to see they've been heard."
Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble said all regional airports had been asking for this for years and the lower fares had come at a good time.
"We've had significant growth here in the last two years, and our terminal development is about six weeks from being finished. Thank goodness we've done it."
Bay of Plenty Regional Transport Committee Stuart Crosby said the airline provided a good service, it was only the cost that was the issue.
Waiariki MP Tāmati Coffey congratulated Air New Zealand on making the "long overdue change".
