Hobart-Auckland flights set to take off

Air New Zealand is launching a direct service between Tasmania and New Zealand this year, restoring international flights to Hobart for the first time in over two decades.

On Friday, Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein and Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said a Hobart-Auckland route would take off in 2021.

The new route comes after the Australian government announced A$50 million towards underwriting the return of international flights to Hobart.

It is also conditional on NZ opening its arms to Australian visitors and creating a trans-Tasman bubble.

Jacinda Ardern's government is yet to remove quarantine restrictions on Australian travellers, but is under increasing political pressure to do so.

Local reports suggest the trans-Tasman bubble could be operational as soon as April.

Mr Gutwein nominated the end of April as his hopeful start date for the service, saying he expected real demand from Kiwis, and hopefully their leader.

"I would hope that Jacinda Ardern might like to come visit Tasmania which I would claim would be the jewel in the crown of our country," he said.

"I am firmly of the view that Tasmania is viewed by the world now as one of the safest places on the planet.

"This initial arrangement will be over a two-year period but I would like to think as we progress and the vaccine is rolled out, and international travel starts again. I'm hoping we can use this as a stepping stone to further international flights."

The service will be twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, using A320neo aircraft.

Mr Foran said the route was a win for both Kiwis and Tasmanians.

"This route will be a much-needed economic boost for New Zealand's tourism industry," he said.

"I think New Zealanders will be blown away with what they discover in Tasmania, from world class art and culture, to the food and wine scene, spectacular landscapes and an abundance of wildlife."