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Canberra Airport: ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr renews calls for international flights

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says he will use a trip to New Zealand to renew calls for Canberra Airport to host international flights.

Mr Barr is travelling to New Zealand where he said he will meet with senior government officials and aviation industry representatives.

He said, currently, travellers had to stopover in Sydney.

Mr Barr said direct flights from both Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand presented a great opportunity to boost tourism in the ACT.

"New Zealand visitors are the highest contributor to Australia's tourism industry in annual visits," he said.

"However the country ranks as number five in the ACT's own tourist numbers due to lack of direct flights.

"It's a 6.5 to seven-hour journey in what really should be 2.5 to three hours if there was a direct flight."

In January, the Federal Government approved Canberra Airport's 20-year master plan, paving the way for international flights.

The airport's master plan aims to capitalise on the new passenger terminal by targetting overseas flights by mainly low cost carriers.

The plan also positions Canberra to become an overnight air freight centre, taking pressure off Sydney's airport.

Mr Barr said the conditions were now right for change.

"About 1,000 people travel between Canberra and New Zealand each week, so there's clearly a demand in the marketplace," he said.

"Oil prices have fallen, there's profitability back in the airline sector and we're also seeing an increased package of tourism offerings.

"If this destination can support a daily Canberra to Perth flight, surely we can support a shorter distance across the Tasman Sea."

The most recent ACT budget included $60,000 in extra funding to help attract international flights to the airport.

By 2030 it is estimated the airport will contribute nearly $2.5 billion to the Australian economy and create 21,000 jobs.