Air NZ opens up trans-Tasman pathway for Rotorua

Friday 7th August 2009

Air New Zealand, the national carrier, will offer trans-Tasman flights twice a week in the lead-up to the Christmas holidays.

The service to Sydney will launch with a special $209 one-way fare, and will look to leverage the city’s status as a tourist destination. Australian tourists numbers have been on the rise this year amid a $1 million joint-marketing campaign between the government and the airline to boost interest in New Zealand from across the Tasman.

“We see the potential for good passenger numbers from Australia and the continued strength of inbound tourism from there has lent weight to our decision,” said general manager Tasman Pacific Airline Glen Sowry in a statement.

“Although the Tasman remains one of our most challenging markets we will continue to look for opportunities to grow visitor numbers into New Zealand particularly where there is a strong community desire to support the service," he said.

The number of passengers flying with the New Zealand carrier domestically and across the Tasman shrank 4% in June, its tenth straight decline, compared to the same month last year, even as visitors from Australian rose 9% over the same period.

Air NZ reported a 79% slump in half-year profit as fuel costs rocketed 69% and passenger numbers dwindled.

Its full-year profit, due for announcement on August 27, is expected to tumble 49% to $112.9 million according to Forsyth Barr researchers.

Businesswire.co.nz

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