The first direct flight from Auckland to Invercargill landed at Invercargill Airport early this afternoon, bringing with it a flurry of activity for the airport once again.

Lockdown meant Invercargill Airport became almost totally deserted of passengers but today there were more than 500 people at the airport, arriving and catching departing flights, greeting loved ones as well as busy airport staff going about their work.

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran arrived on the packed-out flight from Auckland to help officially re-launch the service in the south. He said the return of the direct service was an incredibly big deal for both Invercargill Airport and the Southland region. 

"Probably six weeks ago there would have been only a handful of people [at the airport]... now it's coming alive again and that's a huge deal," he said. 

He said the support from Southlanders wanting to fly again post lockdown has been some of the biggest that he has witnessed throughout the country.

"As we've been turning the network back on, we've been seeing other parts of the country come alive but I'd have to say, what we've experienced here today probably surpassed everything else that I've seen."

More than 500 people passed through Invercargill Airport today. PHOTO: Lucy Henry

Head of Tourism and Regional Affairs Reuben Levermore said the direct jet service between Auckland and Invercargill was already seeing a steady demand, with nearly 10,000 passenger bookings over the "coming weeks and months ahead".

Both the inbound and outbound Auckland-Invercargill flights carry a maximum of 170 passengers and both flights were operating at almost maximum capacity today.

The Auckland-Invercargill direct service – which first launched last August before it was halted due to COVID-19 – is the longest domestic flight in New Zealand, taking just over two hours to complete the trip down the length of the country.

There are currently four flights each way per week between Auckland and Invercargill. Mr Levermore said there will be another schedule update at the end of August where more flights could be potentially added depending on the ongoing demand. 

Mr Foran was confident that with the New Zealand borders closed, places like Southland would become more popular travel destinations as Kiwis looked at holidaying in their own backyard, as opposed to overseas. 

"I think a lot of people don't realise how much Southland has to offer," he said. 

"I'd like to come down and see Stewart Island and re-visit the Catlins as I haven't done that for about 40 years."

Mr Foran said maintaining the service was about keeping the prices fair and in line with demand. 

"Normally we want planes about 80% full and usually that's from a combination of demand, which is influenced by pricing.”

He said the idea was to have a mix of cheaper Grabaseat fares sold alongside the more expensive last-minute fares to ensure the planes were cost-effective to run. 

Mayor Tim Shadbolt, Invercargill Airport General Manager Nigel Finnerty, Invercargill town crier Lynley McKerrow, Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks and Southland District deputy Mayor Ebel Kremer were among those present to officially welcome the first direct flight from Auckland back into the heart of the South again.