Rotorua International has finally touched its target of 9000 return passengers in direct flights to Sydney. It reached the milestone within its debut year.

To mark this success in its very first year, the airport will be holding a celebratory function.

Reaching this benchmark target implies that the Government will now pick up the expenses for all the customs, MAF Biosecurity and also the Immigration processing costs.

Minister of customs, Maurice Williamson said that the total expense came up to around $263,000 per year.

Over 21,000 passengers have made flights to or from Australia through the Rotorua Airport ever since transtasman flights were initiated in the city.

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the start of the flights between Rotorua and Sydney. According to Air New Zealand general manager of Australia, Cam Wallace, the year had been a good one. He added that they would now be focusing on continuing to develop demand so as to make sure that their services last long enough.

According to the chief executive of Rotorua International Airport, George White, the transtasman flights had exceeded the expectations of the airport company in its very first year. The target will be made later in the day.