Media Releases - 2003

Wanaka is set to reap significant benefits from Air New Zealand's decision to invest further in the Queenstown Lakes district by commencing daily Christchurch to Wanaka return flights from 19th March next year.

The following is the address by the Chairman of Air New Zealand, John Palmer, to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting held today in Auckland:

This week, 17 December 2003, marks the centenary of "first powered flight" in a fully controllable aircraft - the Wright brothers' Kitty Hawk Flyer - which sustained itself in the air for twelve seconds and flew 120 feet. Of the four test flights made that day by Orville and Wilbur Wright, the longest was 852 feet at a speed of some 34 mph.

Air New Zealand today commemorates the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the first jet aircraft into the Cook Islands - a DC-8 - which commenced weekly services between Auckland and Rarotonga on 2 December 1973.

First photo of all four of Air NZ's Lord of the Rings themed aircraft...

Air New Zealand announces dramatic fly-past to welcome World Premiere celebrations.

Nearly 100 of the UK and Ireland's top travel agents are in New Zealand this week to experience some Kiwi hospitality co-hosted by Air New Zealand and Travel 2, the airline's leading UK wholesaler.

Following on from the launch of Air New Zealand's new four-year strategy for its core airline business, the company has today announced as part of that strategy, the management team that will be responsible for the day to day operation of the business and who will report to the senior executive team.

Last month Air New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Palau's start up airline, Palau Micronesia Air, committing to provide a range of support services for the new company which commences services in April 2004.

Approximately one in three New Zealanders flying on Air New Zealand's first Tasman Express flights today booked their airfares online, reflecting the growing confidence of Kiwi travellers in saving time and money by booking via the internet.

Photos from the First Airbus A320 Tasman Express Flight Will be Sent to You by 11am Tomorrow

The chief executives of the Star Alliance today announced the foundation of a joint company to manage the procurement of jet fuel at selected airports around the world.

Air New Zealand and Qantas today lodged an appeal with the New Zealand High Court against the New Zealand Commerce Commission's determination to decline the airlines' Alliance authorisation applications.

The chief executives of the Star Alliance today announced Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign 2004, developed in support of the "Yokoso Japan" (Welcome to Japan) campaign introduced recently by the Japanese government to increase tourism from overseas.

The trusty old bathroom scales may be called into service for something other than the morning weigh-in at home by travellers flying on Air New Zealand's Tasman Express.

From October 29 customers on Air New Zealand's new Tasman Express service will enjoy a complimentary café style meal and beverage service on all trans-Tasman flights.

Air New Zealand will introduce 11 new flights per week between eastern Australia and New Zealand, as part of its new schedule, effective from 29 October.

Air New Zealand today sent the New Zealand Commerce Commission documents showing that it has not engaged in anti competitive behaviour with Origin Pacific Airways.

The member airlines of Star Alliance, the global airline network, have today agreed on a plan to implement global electronic ticketing capabilities by the end of 2004.

Air New Zealand (Australia) is pleased to announce the winner of the July / August “Get Closer” promotion.

Air New Zealand today announced that it would be closely examining the New Zealand Commerce Commission's decision before deciding whether to file an appeal with the High Court.

Air New Zealand today becomes the first airline to introduce everyday, low-cost travel across the Tasman - cutting its full range of Smart Saver fares on average 25%, and up to 38%.

Air New Zealand Chairman John Palmer today expressed disappointment at the New Zealand Commerce Commission's ruling on the proposed alliance with Qantas.

Air New Zealand is surprised at the revised calculations published today by the Commerce Commission in relation to the economic effects of the proposed Alliance with Qantas. Since the draft determination was released in April, Air New Zealand has disagreed with the Commerce Commission's economic modelling and has worked with the Commission following our identification of significant miscalculations.

Statement made by Ralph Norris, Managing Director and CEO, Air New Zealand Limited

An aviation expert says Air New Zealand's strategic moves leave it well-positioned to survive any impact from the US-led conflict in Iraq.

The following is the presentation by the CEO of Air New Zealand, Ralph Norris, to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting held today in Auckland:

Today the Government will release the third package of information related to its consideration of the Qantas and Air New Zealand Strategic Alliance. The information will be available from approximately 11:00am on the Treasury website at http://www.treasury.govt.nz/release/airnz/alliance.

Release of material on strategic alliance.

Air New Zealand is pleased to receive the interim report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) into the engine failure which occurred on the airline's Boeing 767-200 service NZ 132 Brisbane - Auckland on 8 December last year.

Air New Zealand's Annual Shareholders' Meeting will be held at 2pm on October 22, 2003.

Air New Zealand will commence a code share relationship with its Star Alliance partner, the Austrian Airlines Group (made up of three airlines - Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean), effective from 26 October.

Further to the media release sent this morning, please find attached two photos from the delivery ceremony of Air New Zealand's first Airbus A320 aircraft held in Toulouse, France this morning (NZ time).

A team of Air New Zealand pilots, cabin crew and engineers left late last week for the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France where they will undertake the final preparations for the delivery of the airline's first new A320 aircraft. The aircraft will be handed over at a special ceremony in Toulouse on 15 September.

Air New Zealand today announced a profit of $220.3 million before unusuals and tax for the year ended June 30, 2003, up $187.3 million (567 percent) on the previous financial year.

Air New Zealand will expand its current code share relationship with Air Canada as from 23 January, to include seating on Air Canada flights from Los Angeles to Calgary and Montreal, as well as the airline's services operating to Vancouver and Toronto from Los Angeles.

New Zealand's tourism industry will receive a large boost from an alliance between Air New Zealand and Qantas, the Commerce Commission hearing was told today.

Air New Zealand's new Tasman Express service is a record breaker.

The following statement has been made to the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.

Out of the factory and into the skies!

Statement made by Ralph Norris, Managing Director & CEO Air New Zealand Limited.

Air New Zealand Managing Director and Chief Executive Ralph Norris today announced the appointment of Vanessa Stoddart as the company's new Senior Vice President Human Resources and Organisational Change.

Air New Zealand announced today that the continued low level of bookings on the Hong Kong route has resulted in the airline making further adjustments to its Auckland-Hong Kong services for May and June 2003.

Air New Zealand announced today that the continued softening of forward bookings on some international routes due to the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has resulted in the airline making further cancellations of some services for May and June, in addition to those previously announced. These changes, along with those announced 31 March, represent a 7% reduction in total available capacity across the airline's international network (as measured in available seats per kilometre).

Air New Zealand has today confirmed that it plans to issue proceedings in the High Court seeking a judicial review of the decision by the Wellington International Airport (WIAL) to increase its airline charges by at least 78%, including a 27% increase in landing charges and a 312% increase in terminal charges.

Air New Zealand has reported a Net profit after Tax of $94 million for the six months ending 31 December 2002.