Pacific Blue Tackles Key New Zealand Market

11 May 2005

Pacific Blue Tackles Key New Zealand Market

New Direct Flights From Auckland To Australia

Virgin Blue’s international airline Pacific Blue^ begins flying between Auckland and Australia this week, with the first flight leaving Brisbane for Auckland tomorrow, and flights from Auckland to Brisbane and the Gold Coast beginning on Friday and Saturday respectively.

The new Auckland services follow strong support for Pacific Blue’s flights between Wellington and Christchurch, and Australia.

Pacific Blue will initially launch flights between Auckland and popular Queensland destinations Brisbane and the Gold Coast, in line with the airline’s strategy of focusing on leisure destinations throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The Auckland-Brisbane service will operate four times per week, while the direct Auckland-Gold Coast flight will depart twice a week on a Saturday and a Tuesday.

Pacific Blue CEO, Tony Marks said, “Tomorrow’s flight will be another great milestone in our relatively short history. We’ve had our eye on Auckland as a Pacific Blue destination for some time and it’s an exciting market for us. We may be a small player in the Trans Tasman market but we are enthusiastic about taking on the big guns in their own backyard.”

Auckland International Airport Limited Chief Executive Don Huse said “Pacific Blue will add its own unique style to flights across the Tasman, as well as providing travellers to and from Auckland with a wider choice of carriers. We welcome Pacific Blue to the Auckland Airport community.”

The Auckland services will give New Zealand’s North Islanders a chance to enjoy the world famous theme parks, stunning beaches and tropical rainforests that Queensland has to offer, at the great value that travelers have come to expect from Pacific Blue.

Convenient connections will also allow easy access further north to the beautiful Whitsundays region, as well as Cairns.

The inaugural Auckland to the Gold Coast flight departs Auckland on Saturday at 3.30pm and will be celebrated prior to departure with an indoor beach party to warm things up and get passengers into holiday mode before boarding the flight. On arrival at Gold Coast International Airport, a welcome celebration event will also be held to herald Pacific Blue’s commitment to both the Queensland playground and New Zealand’s biggest city.

Everyday low fares between Auckland and Brisbane start from $179* one-way on the net (plus taxes and charges from $62), with a Blue Plus fare of $449* (plus taxes and charges from $62) one-way on the net. Auckland to the Gold Coast fares start from $179* one-way on the net (plus taxes and charges from $57), with a Blue Plus fare of $449* (plus taxes and charges from $57)

The low fare/high quality carrier plans to expand services as additional planes are added to the fleet and will closely monitor demand for the initial services to gauge support for other potential routes as well as increased frequency.

ENDS

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