Specialist Backs Calls For Wellington Concessions

31 May 2006

Business Travel Specialist Backs Calls For Wellington Concessions

Business travel specialist FCm Travel Solutions is backing calls for Wellington concessions, should the proposed trans-Tasman code-share agreement between Air New Zealand and Qantas go ahead.

FCm Travel Solutions general manager Christian Casbolt, who is Wellington based, said business travellers would be the first to feel the pinch from possible capacity decreases and eventual decreases, and was in support of MP Mark Blumsky’s calls for safeguards to ensure that Wellington would not be disadvantaged.

“Business travellers are usually the first to be effected by changes in airfares and flight schedules, as they are less flexible in the times they can travel and often need to purchase fares at shorter notice. We don’t want to see business and Government travellers in Wellington squeezed in any way.

“We believe Mark Blumsky’s idea of indexing airfares against other parts of the country makes sense, as it lowers the risk of other main centres gaining a competitive advantage over Wellington through their capacity for cheaper travel between New Zealand and our largest trading partner.”

Mr Casbolt also warned business travellers would demand to know who’s plane they were travelling on due to the facilities and services available on particular flights, and wouldn’t take well to being changed to another airline at short notice.

“Code-sharing information must be transparent and timely so travellers can make a fully informed choice on the flight’s service and onboard facilities.”

ENDS

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