Air New Zealand has set a start date for the new direct services between Auckland and Hobart, with the inaugural flight to take off on April 22.

Flights will operate using the airline’s A320 fleet on Thursdays and Sundays, which Air New Zealand says will make the most of domestic connectivity and provide the best long weekend options for travellers.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Greg Foran, says it’s terrific to be heading back to Hobart, adding a tenth Australian destination to the airline’s network.

“It’s really exciting to be launching a new route alongside reopening our other Australian ports after a year of being predominantly a domestic airline,” he says.

“Hobart offers a range of experiences that differ from the rest of Australia and there is much more to see beyond the city. It has a dynamic art and culture scene, and its stunning walks and landscapes are world-renowned.

“This non-stop service opens a direct link between 540,000 potential Tasmanian tourists and our biggest city, with regional Kiwi hot spots a short flight away, giving our Tasmanian friends the chance to hit the slopes in Queenstown or check out the natural hot springs in Taupō,” he says.

Seats on the new Auckland-Hobart services are now on sale and are expected to be snapped up quickly.