QANTAS 737 TO OPERATE IN NEW ZEALAND

Qantas Airways announced today that it would operate Boeing 737 services between Auckland and Christchurch and between Auckland and Wellington from tomorrow.

Qantas Regional General Manager New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Peter Collins, said the 737 aircraft would leave Australia tomorrow morning, and operate its first New Zealand domestic flight - from Auckland to Christchurch - at 1030 am.

"We plan to operate six 737 flights tomorrow, increasing to eight flights a day from Thursday," Mr Collins said.

He added that Qantas was still considering the future of its New Zealand domestic operations in the wake of the Tasman Pacific Airlines receivership last weekend.

In the meantime, Mr Collins said, the Qantas 737 flights would assist with travel arrangements for Qantas New Zealand customers affected by the receivership of Tasman Pacific Airlines, as well as offer a service for new customers.
Schedules are:

WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 2001
Flight From/To Dep Arr
QF4115 Auckland-Christchurch 1030 1150
QF4116 Christchurch-Auckland 1230 1350
QF4111 Auckland-Wellington 1430 1530
QF4112 Wellington-Auckland 1615 1715
QF4117 Auckland-Christchurch 1800 1920
QF4118 Christchurch-Auckland 2000 2120

FROM THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2001
Flight From/To Dep Arr
QF4115 Auckland-Christchurch 0615 0735
QF4116 Christchurch-Auckland 0815 0935
QF4111 Auckland-Wellington 1015 1115
QF4112 Wellington-Auckland 1200 1300
QF4117 Auckland-Christchurch 1340 1500
QF4118 Christchurch-Auckland 1540 1700
QF4113 Auckland-Wellington 1745 1845
QF4114 Wellington-Auckland 1930 2030

Qantas has provided a toll free telephone number - 0800 726 827 for customers wanting to book these flights.