Air New Zealand to add fifth Perth - Auckland flight

Air New Zealand will introduce a fifth weekly flight between Perth and Auckland in the new year to help accommodate strong peak period demand between the cities.

The airline will operate the additional non-stop flight every Thursday from 15 January to 25 March, 2004.

"Air New Zealand provides the only nonstop service between WA and NZ," said Mr Leigh Cathcart, the airline's Regional Manager WA.

"Currently, flight NZ 176 departs Perth every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.00pm, arriving in Auckland at 5.20am the following day and providing excellent connections to destinations throughout New Zealand.

"The additional flights provide much-needed extra seats in the busy new year period, and increase the availability of our new Tasman Express air fares, which start at AUD $415 one way to Auckland, including taxes and charges."

The extra flights are also great news for the WA tourism industry, providing more opportunities for New Zealanders to visit the state, said Mr Cathcart.

"Latest figures from the Western Australian Tourism Commission show that in the 2002-2003 financial year, the number of New Zealand visitors to WA was up 8.8 per cent over the previous financial year," he said.

"Our low Tasman Express fares from Auckland to Perth now provide yet another reason for New Zealanders to visit the West."

All Air New Zealand flights between Perth and Auckland are operated with dual-class Boeing 767-300 aircraft, seating 24 passengers in Business Class and 210 in Pacific Class.