Direct flights between Invercargill and Auckland are planned to begin in August.
Air New Zealand plans to use an Airbus A320 for their Invercargill to Auckland service. Photo: 123RF
The start dates for Air New Zealand's new service between the cities was confirmed by Invercargill Airport Limited as the first tickets were put up for sale today.
The first airplane will arrive in Invercargill on 25 August, and the return service begins the following day.
The route will be Air New Zealand's longest regular domestic route, taking about two hours, and using an A-320 jet.
The new service was launched in response to demand from the Southland community, and is planned to run five days a week, departing Invercargill at 6am, to arrive in Auckland at 7.55am.
The Auckland to Invercargill flights will leave at 7.35pm.
The service opens an exciting new chapter for the city, said the airport's general manager, Nigel Finnerty.
An airport terminal upgrade two years ago meant Southland was well set up to host more visitors, airport chairman Tommy Foggo has said.
"The benefits are enormous. It means the region is more connected to New Zealand's most populous city and largest airport, it will bring more visitors to the region and make is easy for business travellers to get into and out of Southland."
The airport is also a base for regular passenger flights to Stewart Island, Christchurch and Wellington.