NSW welcomes Freedom Air flights to Newcastle
The New South Wales State Government says the new international air service into the Hunter Valley will be a huge boon for tourism in the area.
Freedom Air, a subsidiary of Air New Zealand, will offer direct routes from Auckland to Newcastle, twice a week.
Premier Bob Carr says there will be enormous economic spin-offs for the region.
"We calculate over 400 jobs generated by these 7,000 visitors alone," Mr Carr said.
"Now that's a very significant number to the significant employment base that already exists here now in tourism.
"I just think the economic diversification in the Hunter has been a striking development in the last decade."