The first Jetstar flight has touched down at Queenstown Airport recently, becoming the second airline to return to international services to the airport.

It comes after New Zealand reopened its international borders to Australian citizens on 12 April, and later similarly eased entry restrictions to tourists from dozens of visa-waiver countries on 1 May, scrapping quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals.

Full-service parent airline Qantas was the first carrier to resume international flights to Queenstown late last month, with flight QF121. The Boeing 737-800 was met with a water salute, in honor of being the first international flight to arrive at the airport in 330 days.

Speaking of Thursday’s Jetstar flight, Queenstown Airport CEO Glen Sowry said it was great to see a second Australian carrier return to the airport ahead of the busy winter snow season.

“We are thrilled to see Jetstar flying across the Tasman again and are welcoming those Queenslanders with open arms,” he said.