Air NZ expands transtasman capacity after ditching Virgin
The airline will launch two new routes across the Tasman.
Air New Zealand plans to launch two new routes across the Tasman and add seat capacity, after culling its alliance with Virgin Australia.
From December 18, Air NZ will operate up to four times a week between Queenstown and Brisbane, increasing the airline’s total international capacity out of the resort town 20%.
It will also operate up to five times a week between Wellington and Brisbane, a 15% increase or 20,000 seats.
Air NZ says it is also is adding transtasman capacity in and out of Christchurch from October 28.
This includes moving to twice daily on peak days of the week to Melbourne and Brisbane, and twice daily Monday to Friday to Sydney, which is a 15% increase in capacity or about 35,000 extra seats on Christchurch transtasman routes.
Air NZ is adding 125,000 additional transtasman seats from Auckland, including a new business-timed morning flight to Melbourne, more evening flights to Brisbane and a new midday flight to Sydney.
The airline announced last week it was cutting ties with Virgin Australia and after October would no longer have an alliance on transtasman routes.
This follows Air NZ’s decision in March 2016 to quit its 26% shareholding in Virgin Australia and resign from the board.
Air NZ chief revenue officer Cam Wallace says the market dynamics on the Tasman had changed, and the time was right for each airline to “focus on its own objectives.”
The revenue-sharing joint-venture was established seven years ago and provided reciprocal frequent flyer benefits such as shared lounges and codeshare ticketing.
Customers booked on an Air NZ ticket to travel on a Virgin Australia aircraft after October 27 will be moved across to Air NZ-operated services.
Calida Smylie
Mon, 09 Apr 2018
Mon, 09 Apr 2018
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Air NZ expands transtasman capacity after ditching Virgin
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