Media Releases - 2009

Welcome to Air New Zealand's Online Media Centre.

December 2009
  • Dec
    22
    Air New Zealand Announces Sydney - Rarotonga Services

    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.

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  • Dec
    11
    Air New Zealand trans-Tasman services from Rotorua to commence this weekend

    Air New Zealand will tomorrow (Saturday) commence the first direct air services between Sydney and Rotorua, utilising a 152 seat A320 aircraft.

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  • Dec
    9
    Brussels Airlines joins Star Alliance

    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.

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November 2009
  • Nov
    3
    Air New Zealand to replace domestic Boeing 737-300s with Airbus A320s

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

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October 2009
  • Oct
    2
    Air New Zealand Tsunami Update 3

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

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  • Oct
    1
    Air New Zealand Tsunami Update 2

    Air New Zealand is adding an additional flight between Auckland and Samoa to assist the tsunami relief effort on Saturday.

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September 2009
  • Sep
    30
    Air New Zealand Tsunami Update

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

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  • Sep
    30
    Air New Zealand to use larger aircraft for today's service to Samoa

    Air New Zealand is adding an additional 150 seats and extra cargo capacity to its scheduled service from Auckland to Samoa this afternoon in the event aid support is required for tsunami struck communities.

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  • Sep
    18
    2010 Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in Sydney attracting record numbers

    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.

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August 2009
  • Aug
    31
    Air New Zealand to introduce Card Payment Fee in Australia

    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.

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  • Aug
    31
    Zeal EPMU Flight Attendants Ratify New Collective Agreement

    Air New Zealand subsidiary Zeal 320 Ltd is pleased EPMU members that operate on its A320 aircraft have ratified a new collective agreement.

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  • Aug
    20
    Air New Zealand welcomes government trans-Tasman plan

    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.

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  • Aug
    7
    Air New Zealand to commence trans-Tasman services from Rotorua

    Air New Zealand is to launch direct air services between Sydney and Rotorua.

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November 2009
  • Nov
    2
    Additional funding a change in fortunes for tourism industry

    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.

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July 2009
  • Jul
    6
    Nothing to Hide and Bare Essentials make headlines around the world

    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.

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  • Jul
    6
    DFS and Air New Zealand launch online duty free store

    Air New Zealand has launched a simple-to-use online duty free store in conjunction with DFS New Zealand, enabling international travellers to quickly and easily pre-order tax and duty free goods.

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June 2009
  • Jun
    26
    Air New Zealand announces additional Tasman services for Queenstown

    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.

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May 2009
  • May
    22
    Air New Zealand has introduced world leading online technology

    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.

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October 2009
  • Oct
    27
    Air New Zealand and South African Airways (SAA) sign code share agreement

    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.

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May 2009
  • May
    6
    Tasman and Pacific Island services will continue to operate - Air New Zealand

    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.

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April 2009
  • Apr
    21
    Lock-out notice issued to EPMU

    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.

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  • Apr
    21
    Out of touch EPMU standing in way of valuable pay rises for Zeal flight attendants

    Today's strike notice from the EPMU is putting in jeopardy pay increases worth thousands of dollars for its members.

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  • Apr
    20
    Air New Zealand Kicks off $2.5m Free Domestic Flights Campaign in Australia

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

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  • Apr
    14
    Air New Zealand services from Dunedin to Sydney and Melbourne to continue

    Air New Zealand will operate trans-Tasman services to Sydney and Melbourne over the peak period this summer, with Brisbane services likely to continue seasonally next winter.

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  • Apr
    2
    EPMU Withdraws Easter Strike Notice

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

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March 2009
  • Mar
    25
    Air New Zealand customers express disappointment in strike notice

    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.

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  • Mar
    24
    Air New Zealand plans for EPMU strike action

    Air New Zealand expects minimal to no customer disruption as a result of the EPMU's planned strike action in the lead up to Easter.

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  • Mar
    24
    EPMU shows disrespect to working New Zealanders

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

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October 2009
  • Oct
    27
    Continental Airlines joins Star Alliance

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

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March 2009
  • Mar
    16
    Air New Zealand moves to fuel inclusive fares

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

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February 2009
  • Feb
    2
    Air New Zealand to reduce Dunedin Tasman services

    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.

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January 2009
  • Jan
    30
    Air New Zealand to suspend Hamilton-Brisbane route

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

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  • Jan
    27
    Air New Zealand disappointed with ACCC decision

    Air New Zealand has received with disappointment the decision from the ACCC announced today, declining approval of an arrangement with Air Canada.

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October 2009
  • Oct
    23
    Address from Rob Fyfe, Air New Zealand CEO, at Unveiling of Momentum Sculpture

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

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March 2009
  • Mar
    10
    US Tourists Spotting a Bargain and Heading to New Zealand

    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.

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June 2009
  • Jun
    9
    Air New Zealand achieves Environmental Gold Accreditation

    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.

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July 2009
  • Jul
    3
    RNP good news for Queenstown travellers

    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.

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October 2009
  • Oct
    22
    Air New Zealand invests $4 million in new Christchurch aircraft logistics centre

    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.

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  • Oct
    16
    Air New Zealand slashes domestic fares up to 23 per cent

    Air New Zealand is slashing its cheapest domestic airfares by up to 23%, while also simplifying its fare structures to two simple options.

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  • Oct
    13
    Air New Zealand's Blended Winglets delivering 19% greater fuel savings

    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.

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  • Oct
    12
    Erebus Anniversary Update

    Air New Zealand will proceed with a proposal to take five next of kin of those lost in the Erebus tragedy to Antarctica for the 30th anniversary on November 28 this year.

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September 2009
  • Sep
    24
    Erebus and Perpignan Anniversaries

    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.

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  • Sep
    3
    Air New Zealand Recognised in Condé Nast Awards

    Air New Zealand has been given another top accolade in a prestigious travel awards.

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August 2009
  • Aug
    27
    Air New Zealand outperforms airline industry in 2009

    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.

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July 2009
  • Jul
    13
    Arrival of new winglets in New Zealand

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

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June 2009
  • Jun
    5
    Air New Zealand's First 747-400 Makes Final One-Way Flight

    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.

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May 2009
  • May
    28
    Biofuel Test Flight Report Shows Significant Fuel Saving

    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.

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  • May
    18
    World's first recession free country

    The Cook Islands Government today announced that the nation has officially decided not to take part in the worldwide recession, making it the world's first Recession Free Oasis.

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April 2009
  • Apr
    27
    Air New Zealand services from the United States

    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.

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  • Apr
    9
    Air New Zealand introduces more Premium Economy seats

    Air New Zealand is doubling the number of Pacific Premium Economy seats available on its 777-200ER fleet, with the first of eight aircraft re-entering service next week after being refitted at Technical Operations in Auckland.

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March 2009
  • Mar
    20
    Altitude secures multi-million dollar interiors contract for Boeing 747-8 aircraft

    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.

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  • Mar
    17
    Air New Zealand to match Government's $2.5m stimulus to get more Aussies to New Zealand

    Air New Zealand will spend $2.5 million on a major promotional campaign, matching the Government's additional tourism funding for Australia.

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  • Mar
    9
    Air New Zealand to fly Tailored Arrival demonstration into Los Angeles

    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.

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February 2009
  • Feb
    26
    Air New Zealand remains profitable in tough environment

    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.

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  • Feb
    25
    A320 Accident

    Air New Zealand advises against drawing premature conclusions about the cause of the A320 accident off the coast of France last year following today's interim report from the Bureau d'Enquetês et d'Analyses (BEA).

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January 2009
  • Jan
    24
    Airbus A320 Accident Update

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

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  • Jan
    23
    Airbus A320 Accident Update

    Air New Zealand welcomes a bulletin from Airbus this morning reminding airlines of maintenance and flight check requirements following the A320 accident in France.

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  • Jan
    22
    Airbus A320 Accident Update

    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.

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  • Jan
    20
    14:49
    A320 Accident Update

    Around 1,000 family members, friends and Air New Zealanders today gathered at Auckland Airport to welcome home four of the New Zealanders lost in the A320 accident in France.

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  • Jan
    20
    A320 Accident Update

    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.

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  • Jan
    19
    A320 Accident Update

    French authorities have confirmed to Air New Zealand that they still do not know the cause of the A320 accident off the coast of France in November.

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  • Jan
    15
    00:29
    A320 Accident Update

    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.

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  • Jan
    13
    15:28
    A320 Accident Update

    An important step in bringing closure for the families of the men lost in the A320 accident in France in November will take place this week.

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