Dame Therese WalshDunedin to Brisbane is off the flight path when Virgin Australia returns to the New Zealand market later this year. Before Covid-19, Virgin Australia flew two to three direct weekly flights from Dunedin, which were stopped when the airline suspended all New Zealand services in March 2020. Airline spokesman Kris Taute said the Dunedin route would not be making a return in the short to medium term. Dunedin Airport was performing "above the national average"compared to other airports the carrier flew to in the country, she said. Between 40,000 and 45,000 passengers crossed the Tasman from Dunedin Airport each year on the Virgin flight.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 29, 2021 16:30 UTC