Jetstar has today announced the launch of a new route between Sydney and Hamilton, with flights set to take off from 16 June 2025 and operate up to four times per week.
The new service will unlock more than 75,000 new seats each year between Sydney and Hamilton, opening new opportunities for travellers to access the region’s iconic tourism attractions including the HobbitonTM movie set tours, the Waitomo glowworm caves, and the Rotorua hot springs.
With the addition of Hamilton, Sydneysiders and connecting international and domestic passengers will be able to fly directly to five New Zealand cities. With more seats and frequencies to New Zealand than any other Australian airport, Jetstar’s new Hamilton service will see Sydney maintain its crown as the number one port in Australia for Trans-Tasman travel.
The new route builds on Jetstar’s increasing network from Sydney, with direct flights to Osaka flights commencing in April this year, and the inaugural Sydney to Vanuatu route getting underway on 12 December 2024.
Greg Botham, Sydney Airport’s Group Executive, Aviation Growth & Group Strategy, said: “Jetstar’s new low-fare direct service to Hamilton will provide fast and convenient access to Waikato’s world-class tourist attractions; from hobbits to hot springs there’s something to please everyone.
“The addition of Hamilton also locks Sydney in as the Australian gateway to New Zealand. With more than two-million annual passengers between Sydney and NZ it’s second only to the USA as our largest international destination.
“Passengers connecting from other international services and Australian cities will now have more choice than ever before for their onward journey across the ditch.”
Stephanie Tully, Jetstar Group CEO, said: “This will be the first time Jetstar has ever flown to and from Hamilton and will unlock more than 75,000 new low fares seats between Sydney and New Zealand’s North Island each year.
“The new service will provide cheaper and more convenient access from east-coast Australia to holiday hot spots like Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, as well as bring thousands of tourists to Sydney, injecting millions of dollars into the New South Wales tourism economy.”
To celebrate the announcement, Jetstar is today launching a 24-hour Route Launch Sale with great low fares from Sydney to Hamilton from $159^.
Schedule information – from 16 June 2025
| Flight | Frequency | From | To | Depart | Arrive |
| JQ165 | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat | SYD | HLZ | 0615 | 1115* |
| JQ166 | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat | HLZ | SYD | 1205* | 1335 |
*Non daylight savings times
The sale fares are available from 10am Monday 16 September AEST at jetstar.com.
