It's hoped the country's longest domestic flight - between Auckland and Invercargill - will do wonders for the southern economy.
Air New Zealand will fly to Auckland early in the morning, and return to Southland in the evening.
Venture Southland spokesperson Steve Canny says the flight schedule has business in mind.
"Southland businesses can depart first thing in the morning, have 11 hours on the ground and return in the evening. That's a very good and effective day to transact business."
Mr Canny says it saves the time it takes to drive to Queenstown for a flight.
"We see this new route provides some fantastic new opportunities, and eliminates the need to travel two-and-a-half hours to then catch a flight to Auckland."
Mr Canny is confident the country's longest domestic flight will be in hot demand.
"We see this new route provides some fantastic new opportunities, and eliminates the need to travel two-and-a-half hours to then catch a flight to Auckland."
An exact start date will be announced when tickets for the new service go on sale in January.
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