When Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully walked through the international arrivals’ doors at Hamilton Airport on Monday, she admitted she was “nearly” in tears.
*The article has been updated to reflect the cost of the airline terminal upgrade is $7 million, not $75 million. The News apologises for the error which occurred in the sub editing process.
Welcoming her and other VIP guests from the inaugural Jetstar JQ165 flight from Sydney were Te Awamutu Intermediate School’s kapa haka group and representatives of Ngāti Hauā.
“I think I’m tired and emotional but it’s just so beautiful,” said Tully.
“There is just so much of the New Zealand culture that I just think is incredible.”
Tully, who is building a home in the South Island, said as the flight approached the airport, she noticed how green the grass was.
The flight path took the plane south of Mt Karioi, just north of Ngāhinapōuri, around Hamilton city, turning south at Puketaha and down past Hamilton Gardens and over the Waikato River onto the runway.
“One of our team said it’s the best grass we’ve ever landed into. It’s a beautiful part of the world.
“It was a beautiful landing, our pilots did an awesome job, it was very smooth, and we were all happy to be on time as we always are. It’s 13 years in the making.”
The flight, crewed by a Sydney-based team including four New Zealanders, had a quick turnaround leaving an hour later for the return trip to Australia, marked Jetstar’s return to Hamilton after 13 years.
“I love New Zealand and seeing that incredible display of culture (at the airport)… I couldn’t have asked for a better welcome.
“I’ve been to a lot of rugby games, but I’ve never seen it that close and the young kids. The diversity of the race and just so much passion.”
Asked later by The News whether Jetstar would add domestic flights into Hamilton, she would not be drawn.
“It’s always an opportunity we’re assessing but I have nothing to announce,” she said other than she always supported growth.
“We’re here for the long run. We’ve very excited about another gateway into the North Island.”
Also on the flight were Susan O’Regan and Paula Southgate, mayors from Waipā and Hamilton, airport chief executive Mark Morgan and Jetstar executive manager commercial planning Lyle Brownscombe.
There to greet them was Biosecurity and Food Safety minister Andrew Hoggard. Absent due to a family engagement was associate Transport minister James Meager whose name was on the plaque which would be added to others at Waharoa (entranceway) to the Hamilton Kirikiriroa Airport terminal.
O’Regan said the flights were a “shot in the arm” for Waipā and the Waikato.
“It makes that connection to Australia just that much more attainable and affordable. It makes the world seem a whole lot smaller and it’s wonderful not having to battle traffic going into Auckland.”
Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said the flights would bring families and people closer together.
“Let’s be honest we all have friends and family in Australia,” she said.
Hoggard said good measures were in place to ensure no pests or diseases came through via the Hamilton border.
“I don’t believe there’ll be any difference between here and anywhere else in New Zealand.” Hamilton would have the same processes and standards, he said.
Jetstar will run seven trans-Tasman services a week out of Hamilton: three return flights to and from the Gold Coast, and four return flights between Hamilton and Sydney.
Jetstar flights will add capacity for more than 100,000 international passengers each year and pour an extra $45 million annually into the Waikato economy. More than 60 new airport-based jobs have already been created, and the tourism spend is expected to open the door for around 300 new jobs.
The airport is owned by five councils – Hamilton, Waikato, Matamata-Piako, Waipā and Ōtorohanga – who approved the $7 million spend on upgrading the terminal to cater for international flights.
Airport chief executive Mark Morgan said the councils would get a return on their investment through the $45 million a year economic benefit.
“It’s almost cheap at the price,” he said.
