Air New Zealand is delighted by the customer response to today's launch of the new Tasman Express Service.
Air New Zealand today became the first airline to introduce everyday, low-cost travel across the Tasman - cutting its lead-in Auckland-Sydney fare by 45% with an average reduction of 20% across the full range of lead-in fares, including Business Class.
Chief Operating Officer Andrew Miller said that the Air New Zealand reservations staff and the on-line booking site (www.airnewzealand.co.nz) had been inundated with booking requests since the service was launched this morning.
"As at 12pm we had already exceeded our best web revenue figures for the Tasman - triple the daily average. We expected the response from the travelling public on both sides of the Tasman to be extremely positive. However, the demand we have seen today is above our launch expectations. It is clear that travellers are embracing Air New Zealand's market-leading position.
"It would also seem that Kiwi travellers are keen to book their Tasman Express fares online and be in with a chance to win one of 1,000 free seats across the Tasman," Mr Miller said.
Tasman Express draws on the outstanding success of Express Class, which was launched on Air New Zealand's domestic routes last year.
"New Zealanders have really embraced domestic Express Class, with an extra million passengers expected to travel in the first year. It is clear from the way Tasman Express has been received today that our target of growing traffic between Australia and New Zealand by 10% - and lifting revenue on the service - is extremely achievable," Mr Miller said.
Air New Zealand carries a significant number of New Zealanders and Australians across the Tasman every year - some 32% of total visitors the airline brings to New Zealand are Australians and 44% of outbound Kiwis fly to Australia annually with
Air New Zealand.
The arrival of the first of Air New Zealand's 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft in September will add an exciting new customer dimension to trans-Tasman travel.
In its biggest single investment in future growth, Air New Zealand has earmarked the A320 to replace Boeing 737's and 767's on Tasman routes over the following year.
The highly efficient 146-seat Airbus aircraft is perfect for the high frequency Tasman market.
In addition to the extra capacity of the new Airbus planes, Air New Zealand will also use larger aircraft on key Tasman routes, adding an additional 10% capacity at peak times to satisfy this demand.
Key features of Tasman Express include:
- Auckland to Sydney, one-way fare from $189 (excl. applicable taxes and levies) reduced from $344.50 each way - a saving of $155.50
- Lead-in Smart Saver fares an average 24% lower than current special fares on sale
- An average 20% reduction on the full range of lead-in fares, including Business Class, and up to 45% compared to current lowest year round fares
- A customer offering of I,000 free seats to customers who book online in the first eleven days, 12 -22 August 2003, for travel commencing between 29 October and 20 December 2003
- Fares available year-round, not only as ad-hoc, promotional deals
- A quarter of all seats available, on average, in the lowest Tasman Smart Saver fare range. On some flights, up to 40% of seats are expected to be available in this price bracket
- Three simple, economy fare categories - the same as domestic Express Class. Complicated fare rules and conditions scrapped
- Mix and match flexibility - the same as domestic Express Class, using a one-way fare structure
- Booking online through www.airnewzealand.co.nz saves up to $50 in service fees (return travel).
Tasman Express will retain a two-class structure, Business and Economy Class, and free onboard food and in-flight entertainment will continue. The food and beverage service will move to a simpler, more contemporary style.
While newspapers and magazines will no longer be provided, except in Business Class, Air New Zealand's popular in-flight magazine will remain in both classes.
Tickets are on sale today for travel commencing October 29th.
For further information please contact:
Public Affairs on 09-336 2761
NOTE: The content of all Air New Zealand media releases are accurate at the time of issue, as stated at the top of each release. For updates on any changes, please contact Air New Zealand.
Air New Zealand is proud to be a member of Star Alliance. The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award, Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, bmi, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Aegean Airlines, Air India, Brussels Airlines and TAM have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers 19,500 daily flights to 1,071 airports in 171 countries.
For more information about Air New Zealand visit www.airnewzealand.com and for more information about Star Alliance visit www.staralliance.com.
