Air NZ Offers 250,000 Of Its Lowest Fares

Air New Zealand Offers 250,000 Of Its Lowest Fares In 60 Day Travel Bonanza

An unprecedented Air New Zealand seat sell-out of low domestic airfares will provide an autumn bonanza for air travellers from April 29 to June 25

The national carrier is making a quarter of million (250,000) Smart Saver seats available, as from midnight tomorrow (Saturday 5 April) for domestic travel during the traditional offpeak period.

It has also increased its inventory of fares in this lowest price category as part of the mammoth availability drive.

Fifty percent more Smart Saver fares and 75 percent more of the lowest Smart Saver lead-in fares than normal at this time will be available throughout the domestic network.

Air New Zealand's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Miller, described the sale as a windfall for domestic tourism. He said the simplicity and success of the airline's new fare structure, introduced as part of the new Air New Zealand Express Class in November, means it is easier to offer 'compellingly lower' fares and easier for travellers to buy.

"This represents an available Smart Saver seat for one in every 15 New Zealanders," said Mr Miller. "The seat sell-out experience of other low cost carriers around the world shows this is a popular promotional concept with travellers. It is also an important as part of the airline's drive to continuously stimulate the market and increase access for New Zealanders to affordable airfares."

The retail sales push will make significant numbers of the Smart Saver range of fares available on all sectors throughout New Zealand ensuring strong connectivity between main trunk and provincial routes.

As at midnight on April 5 more than 70,000 Smart Saver seats will be available for flights out of Auckland, 70,000 ex Christchurch and 100,000 from Wellington. Provincial centres also benefit from the low fare seat availability, depending on the size of the airline's operation into that centre and route capacity.

The lowest Smart Saver fares will only be available by booking on-line, through Air New Zealand's website ( www.airnewzealand.co.nz < http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz > ). Bookings through other sales channels will incur service charges.

Examples of main trunk Smart Saver seat availability and fare ranges are given below

of available seats as at midnight April 5, 2003 for travel from April 29 - June 25, 2003 Smart Saver fare range*

One way fares, per person WLG-AKL 50,000 $75 - $105 AKL-CHC 23,000 $80-$120 CHC-WLG 35,000 $55-$85 These fares include appropriate levies and charges. Customers booking on-line will not pay any service fees, but those booking these fares through the Air New Zealand Call Centre or Travelcentres will pay a $10 fee. Customers booking through travel agents will also pay a service fee. Mr Miller said the availability of such a significant number of low airfares makes flying the most realistically priced transport option within New Zealand. "There are a lot of things happening around New Zealand in May and June - there's Mother's Day, Queen's Birthday and a lot of exciting Super 12 rugby. The availability of so many low fares means more New Zealanders will be able to travel the country enjoying all there is to offer."

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