Third Stage Of Increased Flights To Meet Demand

14 September 2004

Freedom Air Announces Third Stage Of Increased Flights To Meet Demand

Freedom Air today announced the third stage of planned extensions to its current schedule, in response to increasing demand for its services. It is expanding the number of flights from Christchurch to Coolangatta on Australia’s Gold Coast from three to five per week and has increased the number of services on its Wellington – Brisbane route from five to seven per week to meet demand.

Freedom Air’s sales and marketing manager, Rachel Gardiner, says the extension to its scheduled services between Queensland and Wellington and Christchurch are in direct response to demand from people wishing to fly Freedom.

“In the past 12 months, we have seen passenger numbers increase by between 63 and 70 per cent on these routes. It’s a clear message from the consumer that they like flying with Freedom Air and like where we fly to,” she says.

Today’s announcement comes on the back of notification from Freedom in the past fortnight that it is launching weekly Wellington – Gold Coast and Wellington – Nadi services from early next year and doubling the number of flights to Fiji from Palmerston North, Christchurch and Hamilton during the high season.

“The popularity of our services further cements our position as the people’s choice for flying to holiday or leisure destinations,” Rachel Gardiner says.

A special promotional fare for the Christchurch – Gold Coast and Christchurch – Brisbane routes, of $99 one way (exclusive of an $8.00 insurance surcharge, $20 fuel surcharge and other taxes), goes on sale tomorrow, Wednesday 15 September, until Monday 20 September for travel between 1 November and 14 December 2004.

Freedom will increase its Wellington – Brisbane flights from five to seven per week from 1 December 2004 to 31 January 2005, a popular time for trans-Tasman travel. It is also introducing a special $99 one way fare (exclusive of an $8.00 insurance surcharge, $20 fuel surcharge and other taxes) for travel on its new Wellington – Gold Coast route, on sale from 15 to 28 September and available for selected travel from 2 April to 3 July 2005.

The number of people flying Freedom Air in the past 12 months has grown by 14%, with some destinations showing growth of more than four times that.

These results, from July 2003 to July 2004, come despite massively increased competition in the market, with the introduction of Pacific Blue and Emirates flights on many routes. Freedom Air’s lower airfares in response to this new competition are proving successful.

More and more people are flying Freedom Air to Queensland than in the previous 12 months (up nearly 30%) reflecting the increasing appeal of the Gold Coast and Brisbane as holiday destinations. As well, Freedom is the only value-based airline still offering a 25% discount off the standard adult fare for children and no charges for credit card transactions.

Rachel Gardiner says the airline’s really, really small fares and direct to Queensland flights have seen a major rise in the number of people flying Freedom.

“We are seen largely as the leisure airline, which matches well with Queensland as one of Kiwis’ favourite holiday destinations. As well, the high cost of airport and similar taxes in other destinations probably influence travellers’ choices.”

ENDS

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