Qantas to fly to Queenstown year round

Australian national carrier Qantas will add Queenstown to its year-round route network from October 1, the airline announced yesterday.

Qantas currently operates services to the South Island tourist resort from Sydney and Brisbane during the ski season, which ends in October.

Buoyed by the popularity of the route during winter, Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti said a Saturday service from Sydney would be added.

"The decision to extend the service to a permanent operation reflects the growing attraction of Queenstown as a year-round holiday destination for Australians," he said.

"New Zealand is a very important market for Qantas and we are continually exploring ways of maximising opportunities for growth in the region," Borghetti added.