AirAsia has confirmed it is returning to New Zealand with daily flights from Auckland to the Gold Coast with introductory $99 one way flights.
AirAsia X, the medium and long-haul operation of the AirAsia brand, will fly Kuala Lumpur to Auckland via the Gold Coast using an A330-300 with the first flight taking off from Auckland on March 22.
It is also offering limited one way flights from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur via the Gold Coast in Queensland for $249 for travel between March 22 and February 5, 2017.
Tickets go on sale at 5am Wednesday until January 24 or until sold out.
The low cost carrier last launched scheduled services to New Zealand in April 2011 with four-times weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Christchurch, but withdrew in May 2012 to focus on Asia and Australia.
READ MORE: AirAsia resuming flights to New Zealand
There are already up to 21 flights per week between Auckland and the Gold Coast with Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all servicing the route.
Air New Zealand flies an A320 up to six times a week with flights in late March starting at $656 return for seat plus bag but no meal.
Jetstar also flies an A320 up to eight times weekly with late March return flights starting at $565 for seat plus bag and meal.
Virgin Australia flies a Boeing 737 daily with return flights in late March starting at $626 for seat plus bag and meal.
Malaysia Airlines is the only other carrier with flights from Malaysia to New Zealand operating a daily nonstop service from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur using an A333.
A return flight from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur starts from $1365 including taxes.
AirAsia's A330-300 have capacity of 377 passengers and a configuration of 365 economy seats and 12 premium flatbed seats.
The aircraft also features a "quiet zone" product reserved for passengers aged 12 and older.
The flatbed seats would also be on sale from $299 one-way to Gold Coast or $599 to Kuala Lumpur.
Flight Centre product general manager Sean Berenson said the Gold Coast was one of the most popular destinations for New Zealand holiday makers.
"It is by far the most popular holiday spot for a Kiwi traveller so they've chosen a good route," Berenson said.
AirAsia would attract a wide variety of travellers, he said.
The number of passengers which continued beyond the Gold Coast onto Kuala Lumpur would depend on how good AirAsia's connections were, he said.
The AirAsia brand started in 2001 and now flies to more than 100 destinations.
Berenson said AirAsia X offered a Kuala Lumpur to London service which could prove popular for Kiwi travellers.
If the new Auckland service worked well for AirAsia it may look to launch routes from other cities in New Zealand, he said.
House of Travel commercial director Brent Thomas said the number of New Zealanders travelling to Queensland was expected to grow.
AirAsia would also be a big player for inbound tourism to New Zealand, he said.
- Stuff
JOHN ANTHONY
Last updated 17:58, January 12 2016