Pacific Blue announces direct flights from Christchurch to Melbourne

Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson touched down in New Zealand for the first time today to deliver more exciting news in the lead-up to the upcoming launch of New Zealand based international airline, Pacific Blue.

Sir Richard Branson flew into the South Island to announce that Pacific Blue will begin direct services from Christchurch to Melbourne from March 4, just weeks after the inaugural flight from Christchurch to Brisbane.

Sir Richard Branson said, "We are delighted to be bringing a true low fare airline to the people of New Zealand and can't wait to start flying. Pacific Blue doesn't believe in use-it-or-lose-it and we don't think people should have to choose between affordability and flexibility so even our cheapest ticket can be changed up to a day before departure."

"To prove we are serious about low fares, we have a special launch sale fare of NZ$99* one-way between Christchurch and Melbourne with thousands of seats available at that price and we look forward to ensuring flying across the Tasman is competitive, flexible and fun for a long time to come."

Demand for direct flights to and from Christchurch to Melbourne prompted Pacific Blue to add the route to its pre-launch network sooner than anticipated.

The NZ$99* sale fare is available today until November 16 and is for travel from March 4 until March 27 2004.

The new route will be the second Pacific Blue Trans-Tasman service, with more expected to be launched in the near future.

Sir Richard continued, "We have every intention of putting on more flights to more destinations and growing the market as we have done with Virgin Blue in Australia. While it is early days, Pacific Blue bookings are looking good and I hope more and more people come on board to support our mission to offer a fun and friendly flying alterative."

Sir Richard will today catch up with the new Pacific Blue recruits to have a first hand chat about Virgin's core values which include value for money, sense of fun, innovation, quality and challenging existing alternatives. Pacific Blue has already indicated that the New Zealand program is expected to generate over 200 jobs in the start-up phase alone. The low fare airline is currently sorting through the thousands of applications for various positions as well as progressing the approval processes with government authorities.

After the launch special is finished, Pacific Blue will be offering fares from NZ$159* (Mid-Week Mini-Fare) with Fully Flexible walk-up fares of NZ$449*.

Sir Richard also announced today that Pacific Blue will bring forward its launch date of services from Christchurch to Brisbane to Thursday 29 January 2004 from the previously announced February 1 2004. Pacific Blue is making available NZ$99* one way fares on the additional services operating from January 29 to January 31 2004. All inclusive fares from Australia will start from AU$149* one way on the additional January services. Sir Richard confirmed that at least 99 seats on each of these additional services will be available at these promotional fares.

Pacific Blue will launch its maiden services with a fleet of bright red, brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, emblazoned with flypacificblue.com on their side. The aircraft are fresh from the Boeing factory in Seattle and will carry some of the most modern technology in the South Pacific as well as 180 leather seats pitched to 32" or more.