Air New Zealand adds new regional services for 2007

The new service will be operated by Air New Zealand Link carrier Eagle Air using a charted Vincent Aviation 19-seat Beech turbo-prop aircraft.

Air New Zealand is also introducing a second daily weekday service between Wellington and Westport, and increasing daily services between Wellington and Taupo, and Christchurch and Hokitika from four to five.

Air New Zealand Group General Manager Short Haul Airline Norm Thompson said the new services provide regional communities with a direct link to larger cities where connecting flights were available for onward travel.

"Air New Zealand is committed to supporting regional communities by responding to their need for enhanced flight connections. I'm confident the new weekday services will be well utilised by both business and leisure travellers," he said.

Air New Zealand will operate a daily return service between Wanganui and Wellington from Monday to Friday during peak morning and evening times, and an additional Friday night service to Wellington, returning to Wanganui on Sunday. The airline last operated a daily off-peak service between Wanganui and Wellington in 2002. Sales of the new service commence today.

Details of Air New Zealand's new Wanganui services are as follows:

Air New Zealand adds new regional services for 2007

Details of the additional Westport services are as follows:

Note these morning and evening services will replace the existing mid afternoon service.

Details of the additional Taupo and Hokitika services are as follows:

ENDS

Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs: ph 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.