Air New Zealand's Pacific Express Cuts Fares by More Than 25%

Pacific Express will deliver an average 25% saving on lead in airfares for travel between Australia and the Pacific Island destinations of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

On sale today, for travel from May 20, Air New Zealand's Pacific Express offers the lowest year-round airfares and holiday options in the market. New Caledonia is expected to be included in Pacific Express once the necessary government approvals have been received.

Like Domestic Express and Tasman Express, fares are one-way to enable customers to mix and match their fares with the level of flexibility they need. There are four fare categories; Pacific Smart Saver, Pacific Flexi Saver, Pacific Fully Flexi and Pacific Business Class.

On average, 35% of seats available on Pacific Express will be in the lowest Pacific Smart Saver category.

Pacific Express fare reductions include both Economy and Business Class, with full service to remain in Business. Pacific Express Economy Class meals will be similar to Tasman Express, featuring a café style menu individually themed for each Pacific Island destination and with a full complementary beverage service.

Announcing the details of Pacific Express today, Air New Zealand General Manager Australia Michael Reed said the introduction of Pacific Express was the final stage of the airline's short haul remodel.

"For the past two years we've been focused on progressively delivering simple, low-price fares on our short haul network to encourage more people to travel more often. We have learnt a great deal with the introduction of Express and can now offer the best of it all with Pacific Express."

More than 1.1 million additional passengers have flown domestically in the first 12 months of domestic Express Class, and increase of 23% The introduction of Tasman Express in October 2003 has also had strong results in the highly competitive Tasman market, stimulating the 10% growth Air New Zealand expected.

Lower fares mean people have more money to spend at their destination and will also travel more regularly, which is all good news for the Pacific Islands.

"Air New Zealand currently flies over 170,000 passengers on more than 1100 flights each year to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. "We contribute significantly to tourism and local economies in these markets and with Pacific Express look forward to further increasing that contribution."

The introduction of Pacific Express also means good news for travellers from Australia and the Pacific Islands. Airfares from both regions have been reduced by an average of more than 25% and up to 52%.

Lead In Pacific Express Fares

Australia to Pacific Islands:

Sydney to Cook Islands from AUD$454 one way / AUD$873 return
(a saving of 22% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1091 return)
Sydney to Fiji from AUD$384 one way / AUD$758 return
(a saving of 30% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1034 return)
Sydney to Samoa from AUD$474 one way / AUD$913 return
(a saving of 18% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1091 return)
Sydney to Tonga from AUD$414 one way / AUD$793 return
(a saving of 28% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1070 return)

Brisbane to Cook Islands from AUD$450 one way / AUD$857 return
(a saving of 26% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1128 return)
Brisbane to Fiji from AUD$380 one way / AUD$747 return
(a saving of 30% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1017 return)
Brisbane to Samoa from AUD$470 one way / AUD$897 return
(a saving of 22% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1128 return)
Brisbane to Tonga from AUD$410 one way / AUD$777 return
(a saving of 32% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1107 return)

Melbourne to Cook Islands from AUD$450 one way / AUD$857 return
(a saving of 33% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1233 return)
Melbourne to Fiji from AUD$380 one way / AUD$741 return
(a saving of 34% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1070 return)
Melbourne to Samoa from AUD$470 one way / AUD$897 return
(a saving of 29% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1233 return)
Melbourne to Tonga from AUD$410 one way / AUD$777 return
(a saving of 33% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1128 return)

Perth to Cook Islands from AUD$738 one way / AUD$1434 return
(a saving of 16% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1702 return)
Perth to Fiji from AUD$698 one way / AUD$1378 return
(a saving of 13% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1561 return)
Perth to Samoa from AUD$748 one way / AUD$1454 return
(a saving of 15% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1702 return)
Perth to Tonga from AUD$678 one way / AUD$1314 return
(a saving of 21% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1650 return)

Cairns to Cook Islands from AUD$666 one way / AUD$1292 return
(a saving of 23% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1662 return)
Cairns to Fiji from AUD$556 one way / AUD$1096 return
(a saving of 31% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1551 return)
Cairns to Samoa from AUD$656 one way / AUD$1272 return
(a saving of 25% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1662 return)
Cairns to Tonga from AUD$606 one way / AUD1172 return
(a saving of 30% from the current low season economy fare of AUD$1641 return)

Pacific Express Fast Facts

• Pacific Express includes travel between Australia and the Pacific Island countries of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
• New Caledonia is expected to be included following government approvals
• Pacific Express routes include all services via Auckland and Pacific Express destinations including those sectors which are part of a through journey to Los Angeles (Auckland-Fiji-Rarotonga and Auckland-Tonga-Apia.
• Lead in airfares from Australia to the Islands have been reduced by an average of 25%
• An average 35% of seats available on Pacific Express will be in the Pacific Smart Saver category
• Airfares available year-round, not as ad-hoc, promotional deals
• Fare reductions apply to both Economy Class and Business Class
• Pacific Express continues the Tasman Express structure for fare rules, booking methods, service fees, excess baggage, in-flight meal service and special meals
• Booking online through www.airnewzealand.com.au is the cheapest way to purchase airfares

How to Book

Visit www.airnewzealand.com.au for the lowest airfares.

Bookings via the Air New Zealand Call Centre (13 24 76) or an Air New Zealand Travelcentre will incur a $20 per person, per one way journey service fee. Pacific Express fares are also available through a travel agent.

Tickets are on sale today for travel commencing May 20.