Tauranga, Hamilton unite to boost global flight success

A Pacific Blue Boeing 737-800. Photo/Brett Phibbs.

Tauranga and Hamilton airports are joining forces to ensure the success of international flights out of Hamilton, and to boost tourism for both regions.

Tauranga Airport will promote international flights out of Hamilton on low cost airline, Pacific Blue. In return, Hamilton airport will promote Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty as a destination for Australian tourists arriving from Sydney and Brisbane.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby calls it "a win-win situation".

"The Mayor of Hamilton and myself have been looking for ways both regions, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty region, can work together to strengthen our economies. And with Pacific Blue flying into Hamilton in September it just seemed a logical option."

Crosby says they are also looking at developing a bus service from Tauranga Airport to Hamilton, so locals can connect to early international flights.

"Often the flights are relatively early and people do not like travelling over the Kaimais at that hour of the morning so there could be an alliance with a coach company, where people could come to Tauranga Airport, hop on a coach and go over to Hamilton."

- NEWSTALK ZB