Pacific Blue doubles its trans-Tasman services

Affordable Flying Heads South

True Competition To Sydney Starts From Wellington & Christchurch

Pacific Blue doubled its trans-Tasman services today with the launch of two new routes - Christchurch-Sydney and Wellington-Sydney. The Wellington service marks the carrier’s first foray beyond its Christchurch home base.

The flight from the capital will depart at 3:40pm** today, touching down in Sydney at 5:15pm on New Zealand’s newest airline, which launched trans-Tasman services only weeks ago, bringing Wellington the same high quality service and low fares that it has brought to the South Island.

The flight from Wellington to Sydney will take off following official celebrations ‘Wellington Style’ involving the arts, crafts and style that has made the city the popular tourism destination it is today.

Among those on hand to celebrate the historic first flight will be the Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Pendergrast, Virgin Blue CEO, Brett Godfrey, Pacific Blue CEO, Tony Marks and David Huttner, Head of Virgin Blue Strategy and Communications, as well as a host of local celebrities and guests.

The addition of the new Wellington-Sydney service is news that is welcomed by the local community as it not only allows for business travel to Sydney, but also opens up Pacific Blue/Virgin Blue capital to capital jet service to Canberra as well as convenient connections to Perth.

The airline’s high quality, low fare service will also help to ensure that Wellington is able to effectively compete as a tourism gateway for New Zealand.

Mid-Week Mini-Fares between Wellington-Sydney and Christchurch-Sydney start from $149* one-way on the net, everyday low fares will start from $169* one-way on the net and a fully flexible fare of $409* one-way on the net.

Pacific Blue CEO, Tony Marks said, “We’ve been heartened by the way New Zealanders have been willing to give Pacific Blue a go and the fantastic response to our launch fares.”

“We are certainly giving the other carriers a run for their money and Pacific Blue is proud of its role as a catalyst in ensuring these two key cities are finally benefiting from something they haven’t had enough of to date – low cost, high quality service on daily flights across the Tasman.”

“You may have noticed that our competitors have significantly increased the number of services across the Tasman from Wellington and Christchurch. We don’t believe this is a complete coincidence. This is what happens when the public gets real competition”, Tony Marks finished.

Today’s launch flight to Wellington also fulfils a promise made by Virgin Blue CEO, Brett Godfrey, during a flying visit to the city in 2001.

Brett Godfrey, said, “When I was here a few years back, we promised to return and bring the people of Wellington a new airline alternative, something affordable, fun, “out of the box” and great value and we are excited to be doing just that today.”

The two new flights to Sydney will compliment Pacific Blue’s current services between Christchurch – Brisbane and Christchurch – Melbourne, which are proving popular with both New Zealand and Australian travellers. For Pacific Blue everyday low fare bookings to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney log on to www.flypacificblue.com, phone 0800 67 00 00 or contact your local travel agent.

Page 1 of 2 Pacific Blue is a New Zealand based low fare carrier operating a fleet of bright red, brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, emblazoned with flypacificblue.com on the side. The aircraft are fresh from the Boeing factory in Seattle and carry the most modern technology in the South Pacific. The aircraft carry 180 Guests and feature leather seats pitched to 31” or more. Bookings can be made by logging on to www.flypacificblue.com, by calling 13 16 45 or by contacting your local travel agent.

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