Air NewZealand has announced that it will resume its flights between Australia and Norfolk Island in August.
The flag carrier of NewZealand used to operate flights between Norfolk Island and the Australian mainland. However, due to complications created by COVID-19, the airline had to suspend services in February 2021. Now, after signing a deal with the Australian government, Air NewZealand will once again fly to Norfolk Island until 2023.
Starting 30th August 2021, Air NewZealand will fly 3-times-a-week between Brisbane Airport and Norfolk Island International Airport. Just a day later, the airline will resume 3-weekly flights between Sydney Airport and Norfolk Island.
The flight schedule of Brisbane-Norfolk Island-Brisbane route is:
- Brisbane-Norfolk Island
- Departure time: 10:15
- Arrival time: 13:30
- Flight time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Flight number: NZ914
- Frequency: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Norfolk Island-Brisbane
- Departure time: 14:40
- Arrival time: 16:05
- Flight time: 2 hours and 25 minutes
- Flight number: NZ915
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
The flight schedule of Sydney-Norfolk Island-Sydney route is:
- Sydney-Norfolk Island
- Departure time: 09:55
- Arrival time: 13:35
- Flight time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
- Flight number: NZ912
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- Norfolk Island-Sydney
- Departure time: 14:40
- Arrival time: 16:30
- Flight time: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Flight number: NZ913
- Frequency: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Carrie Hurihanganui, Chief Operating Officer, Air NewZealand, said:
Prior to the trans-Tasman bubble opening, crew operating domestic flights in Australia were required to have been in Australia for 14 days or have arrived in Australia on a quarantine-free flight. This unfortunately resulted in us having to suspend services between Norfolk Island and mainland Australia in February. Having crew based in Australia will ensure we avoid disruption should the Australian border close again. Air New Zealand has been operating between Australia and Norfolk Island since 2012, and was the only airline operating scheduled services between Norfolk and mainland Australia during 2020. We know our customers value these services, and we’re thrilled to be able to resume the route from late August.
Both the routes will be operated by a Airbus A320neo featuring 168 standard economy class seats. The Australian government is providing Air NewZealand subsidies to fly to Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island was first settled in 1788 and established as a penal colony for England’s most recalcitrant prisoners. Located approximately 930 miles (1500 kilometers) east of mainland Australia, Norfolk Island’s permanent population of 2,170 is highly reliant on its air links.
Besides NewZealand, Norfolk Island is one of the very few offshore destinations Australians are free to fly to. The airline says that it will establish a temporary pilot and cabin crew base in Brisbane until 30th November to ensure potential disruptions to the travel bubble will not affect continuity of services to Norfolk Island.
When the Auckland-based carrier paused its Norfolk Island flights earlier this year, Qantas stepped in. The Sydney-based airline is now operating government-subsidized Boeing 737-800 services from both Brisbane and Sydney. Qantas’ flights have proved relatively popular. The Australian flag carrier is yet to confirm whether it will continue its Norfolk Island flights after August.
Carrie Hurihanganui thanked Qantas for stepping in to operate flights to Norfolk Island.
We’d like to thank Qantas for stepping in to operate the route over the past few months to ensure continuity of flights for our customers.
Air NewZealand’s Air Chathams resumed flying between Auckland and Norfolk Island last week after more than 12 months of absence. Air Chathams uses Saab 340 aircraft to fly to Norfolk Island weekly, with plans to increase to twice-weekly in August.
Meanwhile, Air NewZealand recently resumed flights to Hobart in Tasmania which resulted in Hobart Airport getting an international service after a gap of 23 years.
Featured image by WikiData
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