The cancellation of trans-Tasman international flights in and out of Rotorua Airport means there is one less biosecurity risk pathway into New Zealand.
Since the trans-Tasman flights started in 2009, Rotorua Airport has been a potential entry pathway for biosecurity risks into New Zealand. Of particular concern was the risk of importing Queensland Fruit Fly from Australia directly into the Bay of Plenty.

Last year KVH completed a preliminary review of border interventions at Rotorua Airport to ensure potential biosecurity risks to the kiwifruit industry were being managed appropriately. While KVH was satisfied with the level of biosecurity intervention on this pathway, the cancellation of the flights eliminates this risk altogether and enables MPI resources to be applied to managing other pathways.

Rotorua Airport will cancel its international air service from the end of April 2015.

• Click here to read the full article in the Rotorua Daily Post
• Click here to read the preliminary review by KVH last year