Hamilton to lose Air New Zealand international services

On 30 January 2009 Air New Zealand announced that it is to cease its remaining international air services from Hamilton Airport (HLZ) on 25 April 2009.

In commenting on the decision to the NZ Herald Glen Sowry from Air New Zealand noted that a factor for the declining business has been the improved road link to Auckland. A new interchange at Manukau City that will make road travel to Auckland International Airport from the south even quicker is currently under construction. The new government is committed to further extending the Waikato Expressway.

International air services from Hamilton were inaugurated in 1994 by Kiwi Travel Air Charters (it subsequently became Kiwi Travel International Airlines before ceasing services in 1996).

Air New Zealand withdrew international services from Palmerston North Airport (PMR) in 2008.