Air New Zealand Pacific Express Takes Off

The new service which went on sale earlier this year, offers everyday low fares to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and has on average boosted Air New Zealand bookings per week from Australia to the Pacific Islands by 50 per cent.

"We've been exceptionally pleased with the success of Pacific Express even before the first flight has even left the tarmac," said Air New Zealand General Manager Australia, Michael Reed.

"Bookings are up 50 per cent and we're already seeing busy periods like the Christmas season showing very heavy bookings."

Mr Reed said Australian Bureau of Statistics information showed there were over 180,000 Pacific Islanders living in Australia, representing a sizeable VFR (visiting friends and relatives) market for the airline.

"Pacific Express will be instrumental to our strategy to increase Australian holiday traffic to the Pacific Islands from Australia, but the service has also been warmly received by the large Polynesian community in Australia providing the opportunity for them to travel home more often to see family and friends."

Pacific Express offers a new lower airfare structure with simplified conditions under four one-way fare categories - Pacific Smart Saver, Pacific Flexi Saver, Pacific Fully Flexi and Pacific Business Class.

The structure allows travellers to mix and match their fares with the level of flexibility they need.

Better still, the savings have been achieved without compromising on customer comfort, so unlike other airlines, customers can have their cake and eat it too - enjoying a lower fare with a movie, meal and glass of wine included in the price.

Meanwhile business travellers can still book and enjoy Air New Zealand's premium Business Class service on all Pacific Express flights.

Pacific Express follows the introduction of Air New Zealand's domestic Express and Tasman Express services over the last 18 months.

The simplified lower fare structure has dramatically boosted travel on the airline's major domestic and short haul routes, with 1.1 million additional passengers flying domestically since in the first year of domestic Express and 15 per cent growth in trans-Tasman travel since Tasman Express started in November last year.

Air New Zealand flies to the Pacific Islands via Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Cairns offering 20 weekly services to the Cook Island, 14 to Samoa and 13 each to Fiji and Tonga.

Pacific Express airfares start from just $415 one way (Sydney to Fiji). For full airfare prices see www.airnewzealand.com.au.

To also celebrate the launch of Pacific Express, Air New Zealand Holidays has launched a series of discounted holiday packages with savings of up to $770 per couple.

All packages include return Air New Zealand Pacific Express airfares, five nights accommodation, return airport/hotel/catamaran transfers, all applicable taxes and a host of bonus extras from daily breakfasts to complimentary snorkelling gear.

Packages prices include:

• Cook Islands - From $1305 per person ex Brisbane and Melbourne, $1329 ex Sydney, $1899 ex Perth and $1779 ex Cairns. The package is on sale until 30 May 2004.
• Fiji - From From $1379 per person ex Brisbane and Melbourne, $1389 ex Sydney, $2025 ex Perth and $1739 ex Cairns.
• Samoa - From $1365 per person ex Brisbane and Melbourne, $1385 ex Sydney, $1939 ex Perth and $1755 ex Cairns.
• Tonga - From $1239 per person ex Brisbane and Melbourne, $1259 ex Sydney, $1799 ex Perth and 1659 ex Cairns. Packages are valid for travel until 30 June 2004.

All package prices are quoted in Australian dollar on per person twin share basis. Packages are valid for travel from 20 May  - 31 December 2004 unless otherwise specified. Conditions apply. Contact Air New Zealand Holidays on 1300 365 525, visit www.airnewzealand.com.au or contact your local travel agent.