Media Releases - 2009

Air New Zealand will from July operate direct services between Sydney and the Cook Islands, making it the only airline to operate direct services between the two nations.

At an official ceremony held in Brussels' historic "Grand-Place" today, the CEOs of the Star Alliance member airlines welcomed Brussels Airlines to the family.

Air New Zealand is to acquire 14 new Airbus A320 aircraft, to replace its current domestic jet fleet of 15 Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

Air New Zealand's extra flight between Auckland and Samoa tomorrow has sold out within 24 hours of going on sale.

Air New Zealand has sent basic supplies to Samoa to help those who lost belongings in the tsunami.

Four thousand rugby-mad fans from 150 teams around the world have already signed up for the Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in Sydney next year.

Air New Zealand will introduce a Card Payment Fee (CPF) to the Australian market effective for all tickets issued on or after 15 September 2009.

The New Zealand Government's plan for streamlining trans-Tasman border processes is welcome news for travellers and will further assist tourism growth between New Zealand and Australia.

The New Zealand Government's additional tourism funding announced today will enable the industry to significantly grow tourism numbers and win back market share from other destinations, many of which have had substantial increases in marketing spend.

Air New Zealand's "Bare Essential" in-flight safety video featuring staff wearing nothing more than body-paint has had more than three million views on YouTube in the 10 days since it was launched.

Air New Zealand today announced further additions to its Tasman schedule into and out of Queenstown, including the launch of a new weekly Brisbane-Queenstown summer service.

Two days into the launch of the new POLi online payment system and it is proving an outstanding success, giving customers greater flexibility and choice when paying for their flights.

Air New Zealand and South African Airways (SAA) have signed a code share agreement, enabling the two carriers to offer a one-stop service between Auckland and Johannesburg via Perth.

Air New Zealand is reassuring customers that Tasman and Pacific Island services will continue to operate during the four-day strike by Zeal EPMU members which begins Thursday and runs through Mother's Day weekend.

Zeal has today issued notice to EPMU that it will lock-out Zeal flight attendants who intend to strike around Mother's Day weekend from 7 May.

Air New Zealand has today launched a major campaign in Australia designed to get more Australians visiting all parts of New Zealand.

Air New Zealand today welcomed the EPMU's acceptance that its strike notice was futile.

Air New Zealand customers are in disbelief that ZEAL cabin crew claiming a 26 percent pay increase are endeavouring to hold their Easter holiday plans to ransom.

The EPMU today outrageously claimed ZEAL cabin crew who could earn between $40,000 and $60,000 per annum would be on poverty wages.

The CEOs of the Star Alliance member carriers today welcomed the alliance's 25th member: Continental Airlines.

Air New Zealand has today announced that from 30 March 2009, the airline will incorporate fuel surcharges (YQ) into all fares sold ex Australia.

Air New Zealand confirmed today that it is suspending its Dunedin-Sydney service from 16 April to 24 October 2009, whilst retaining its scheduled services to Brisbane.

Air New Zealand confirmed today that it is suspending its remaining trans-Tasman service into and out of Hamilton.

Good morning. I'm thrilled that so many people are able to join us here today.

Air New Zealand's drive to help halt the decline in international visitors to New Zealand is starting to show the first signs of success.

Air New Zealand has been recognised as being amongst New Zealand's most environmentally responsible tourism businesses with its achievement of Qualmark's Enviro-Gold accreditation.

Air New Zealand's ability to fly its domestic and international customers into and out of Queenstown over the busy winter season has been further enhanced with 18 aircraft now fitted with advanced navigation technology.

Air New Zealand will build a new $4 million state-of-the-art aircraft parts distribution centre to support its Christchurch narrow body jet engineering base.

Air New Zealand's new blended winglets, which are being fitted to its fleet of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, are delivering 19 per cent higher fuel savings than forecast.

Air New Zealand is inviting families of those lost on flight TE 901 at Mount Erebus to provide feedback on aspects of a proposal to mark the 30th anniversary of the accident on November 28 this year.

Air New Zealand today announced normalised earnings* before taxation of $145 million for the year ended 30 June 2009, a decrease of 26% on the prior year.

Air New Zealand's first Boeing 767-300ER aircraft fitted with new blended winglets is due to land at Auckland International Airport this morning.

Air New Zealand's first Boeing 747-400, registration ZK-NBS, will depart Auckland for the last time today and fly to the USA where it will be dismantled for parts.

Scientific testing has found that up to 1.4 tonnes of fuel can be saved on a twelve-hour long haul flight powered by a 50/50 blend of second generation jatropha sustainable biofuel and traditional Jet A1.

Air New Zealand continues to work with the Ministry of Health to monitor the situation in regard to swine flu issues in Mexico and the United States.

Air New Zealand's stand-alone aircraft interiors business, Altitude, has secured a multi-million, five year deal to design customised furniture for up to 20 new Boeing 747-8 aircraft.

Air New Zealand will fly a demonstration Tailored Arrival into Los Angeles International Airport tomorrow morning as part of a trial to prove the viability of the procedure into one of the world's busiest airports.

Air New Zealand today announced normalised earnings* before taxation of $26 million for the six-month period ended 31 December 2008, a decrease of 84 percent on the same period last year. Net profit after tax was $24 million, down 79 percent.

A French search and recovery team has found the remains of missing Air New Zealand engineer Murray White.

Air New Zealand fleet and operational specialists will be returning to France this weekend to provide further technical expertise to the investigation into the A320 accident at Perpignan.

The remains of four of the five New Zealanders lost in the A320 accident in France will arrive in Auckland accompanied by some family members and Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe later this morning.

French Authorities have formally confirmed the names of the missing New Zealand men whose remains have been recovered from the A320 accident off the coast of Perpignan.