New Zealand lands first on Western Sydney’s international runway, as Trans-Tasman business travel climbs 8.4%

Trans-Tasman business travel bookings grow 8.4% year-on-year

“As the first international airline into WSI, Air New Zealand’s launch flight marks a historic moment, giving the Western Sydney’s business community direct access to New Zealand for the first time,” said Renos Rologas, ANZ General Manager of FCM Travel, Flight Centre Travel Group’s large-market corporate travel specialist.

“It's also a fitting backdrop for this quarter’s booking growth, led by construction, manufacturing, and healthcare and social assistance – sectors with people and projects on the ground on both sides of the Tasman.”

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures also revealed that New Zealand remained Australia’s largest source of international short-term visitor arrivals through the quarter, accounting for 19.3% of all visitor arrivals in April, 18.2% in May, and 17.5% in June.

Meanwhile, flight capacity across all carriers on the Australia–New Zealand route is also on track to grow through the remainder of the year, with seat numbers rising seven per cent year-on-year in October, eight per cent in November and eight per cent in December, according to data available so far.

1. _{https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/apr-2026}
2. _{https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/may-2026}
3. _{https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/jun-2026}

Western Sydney International Airport opens a new gateway to New Zealand

WSI opens to passengers on 25 October 2026, running curfew-free and built to scale to 10 million passengers a year. Given the region is now Australia’s third-largest economy and home to half of Sydney’s population, a dedicated gateway to New Zealand gives local businesses a far more direct option than travelling into Kingsford Smith.

Air New Zealand General Manager – Short Haul, Lucy Hall, said the airline was responding directly to rising demand.

“We’re seeing positive signs for Trans-Tasman business travel and expect demand to continue building through FY27. In response, we’re adding capacity across our Tasman network, giving customers more choice in where and when they travel.

“That includes deploying more widebody aircraft across the Tasman, bringing more of our latest Business Premier and Premium Economy product onto these routes, alongside new services such as Auckland–Western Sydney from 26 October and Christchurch–Perth from 30 November.

“WSI is a particularly exciting addition to our network. For businesses and travellers across Western Sydney, it provides a new, convenient gateway to New Zealand, while giving the wider Sydney market a genuine choice of two airports. For many customers, that could mean an easier journey to and from the airport – which matters when you’re travelling regularly for work.

“We know flexibility is also incredibly important for business travellers. Our Flexi fares are designed with that in mind, giving customers more freedom when a meeting finishes early, plans change or they need to adjust their travel at short notice.

“Together, the additional capacity, new airport options and greater flexibility give us real confidence about the opportunity for Trans-Tasman business travel over the year ahead.”

What’s driving the Trans-Tasman business travel market in 2026

This commercial momentum sits alongside a broader policy shift. At the most recent Australia–New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to a single economic market with no significant barriers between the two countries, alongside a genuinely seamless business environment across the Tasman.

“A new route and a new airport mean genuine choice for businesses on this corridor, and that is something to be excited about. More capacity, more fare options and a second Sydney gateway all point to a market that is opening up, not narrowing down,” Rologas added.

“It's also worth noting this launch comes in the same month New Zealand's National Party proposed a trial of paperless Trans-Tasman travel ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup. Although it's an election proposal only, it points to continued interest on both sides of the Tasman in simplifying travel between the two countries.

_{4.https://www.pm.gov.au/media/its-official-western-sydney-open-passengers-25-october-and-freight-26-july-2026}

_{5. https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australia-new-zealand-leaders-meeting-2026}