Air New Zealand will add dozens of domestic flights over the coming weeks, to cater for rising demand from rugby fans.

Following the release of schedules for the British & Irish Lions tour and the New Zealand rugby winter season, Air New Zealand has revealed that it will lay on at least 46 extra domestic flights over the next five weeks.

“We’re not pussy footing around here. The extra A320, ATR and Q300 services represent an additional 3,500 seats over a five-week period,” said Air New Zealand’s chief revenue officer, Cam Wallace.

“We’re experiencing an influx of visitors to New Zealand between now and the beginning of July as well as increased demand from Kiwi rugby fans wanting to experience the roar of the crowd this winter.”

The additional services are between Auckland and Dunedin, Rotorua, Blenheim, Whangarei and Palmerston North and between Wellington and Christchurch, Tauranga and Gisborne.

Air New Zealand will also operate several charter services on days of high demand, including two flights utilising the airline’s twin-aisle Boeing 777-200 aircraft.