Riverton couple Lynelle and Denis Woods were among a throng of people at Queenstown Airport today, welcoming family and friends on the first trans-Tasman bubble flight to the resort.

The Woods were there to meet Lynelle's brother Robert Miller and nephew Stuart.

The Millers live in Sydney but have a house in Queenstown.

"It's been 14 months since we've seen them," Lynelle says.

"So we came up to get the house ready and welcome them back with a big sign and some hugs."

About 100 people arrived on Qantas flight QF121 from Sydney which landed at 2.31pm, the Boeing 737-800 taxiing through a water arch shot from the airport's fire trucks on its way to the gate. 

It was the first scheduled international flight to land in the resort for 387 days. 

The passengers emerged from the international arrivals hall to a rapturous welcome from a few hundred people, including their family and friends, dignitaries, airport staff and a media pack. 

Kiwi Robert Miller, 59, and his Australian son Stuart, 27, were suitably dressed for the occasion in suits and bow ties. 

They were officially welcomed by Ngāi Tahu Kaumatua Darren Rewi, who gave a traditional mihi whakatau (welcome) to the manuhiri (visitors), before being given gifts by Queenstown's mayor Jim Boult and Southland MP Joseph Mooney.

Robert Miller and son Stuart arrive through the international gate at Queenstown Airport

Retired patent attorney Robert said "Thanks aunty Jacinda!"

"It was fabulous, great to be back," says Robert. 

"We couldn't wait to get back so thought, 'first flight, what a spectacular thing to do'. We were right, with the fire trucks welcoming us, people waving flags outside the airport, people waving on the golf courses." 

They plan to stay for a month, joined by mum and Stuart's girlfriend on Wednesday.

Qantas flight QF122 flew out to Sydney an hour later.

They are the only two international flights at Queenstown today, although there are expected to be about 40 arrivals and departures per week over the coming months until it ramps up to about 60 per week for ski season - about 11,000 people per week.

While the family reunions will warm the hearts of citizens on both sides of the Tasman over the coming weeks, the economic benefit will be as big a relief to struggling tourism businesses.

Mayor Jim Boult said he hopes the benefit will be felt throughout the lower South Island.

"We've got the airport but we really hope people will get in the rental car and go to the glacier towns, go to Te Anau, go down to The Catlins and generally see our whole district. 

"We work very closely with our neighbours, particularly Te Anau, and hope there is spin off." 

Boult says the numbers over the ski season especially will "make a lot of faces very happy around the town", although the lack of staff is a concern. 

"[Tourist operators] are a pretty resilient lot, they know what they're doing. I think the emphasis now will be trying to put some money in the coffers, to make sure they're ready in case there is another lockdown." 

Queenstown's mayor Jim Boult at the airport this afternoon

The closed borders created by the Covid-19 pandemic has been a "short, sharp wake up call" for the district and the whole of the tourism industry, he said. 

Work will therefore continue into diversifying the economy and creating a sustainable tourism industry. 

"But let's remember how special it is to have our visitors coming here. We need to treat them well. We need to not take them for granted." 

He thanked New Zealanders for visit Queenstown in its "hour of need" and hopes people who arrive into the airport travel through the region. 

Prior to COVID-19, 30% of all passenger arrivals and departures at Queenstown Airport were on trans-Tasman flights. 

In 2019, 716,908 passengers arrived and departed on the direct Australia flights. There were about 160 a week.