Air New Zealand Introduces Ultra Low Fares for Domestic Travel

Air New Zealand is dropping the lowest fares on its domestic routes by up to 20 percent, the airline announced today.

Air New Zealand CEO and President Gary Toomey said the fares will be lower than the lowest fares currently offered by the airline and hopes it will encourage more people to travel the country.

"These new fares are designed for people who can take the time to plan a trip outside of peak travel times and take a long weekend break. Combined with the increase in capacity with the introduction of the BAe146 jet aircraft, the increased frequency of flights as well as the new service initiatives announced recently, our commitment to the New Zealand travelling public has never been stronger."

Mr Toomey said that Air New Zealand had set a target of matching and exceeding -- as quickly as possible -- the total New Zealand domestic capacity provided prior to the collapse of Qantas New Zealand.

"This will ensure that a similar level of discounted seats will be available to all New Zealand travellers," he said.

The new fares will be available on off peak flights between midday Tuesdays to 11.59am Thursdays and from 12 noon on Saturdays to 11.59am Sundays and the travel must be booked 21 days in advance and include a Saturday night stay. Air New Zealand's other advance purchase Gotta Go airfares will continue to be available

Samples of the return airfares now available include (existing Gotta Go fares in brackets):

Auckland-Blenheim $190 ($239)

Auckland-Christchurch $229 ($278)

Auckland-Wellington $175 ($198)

Auckland-Napier $145 ($179)

Christchurch-Wellington $137 ($169)

Christchurch-Dunedin $129 ($159)

Dunedin-Auckland $271 ($337)

Dunedin-Christchurch $129 ($159)

Invercargill-Auckland $298 ($371)

Invercargill-Nelson $219 ($272)

Napier-Wellington $130 ($161)

Nelson-Auckland $189 ($239)

Nelson-Christchurch $129 ($160)

New Plymouth-Auckland $125 ($157)

Queenstown-Auckland $337 ($419)

Queenstown-Christchurch $169 ($209)

Rotorua-Christchurch $209 ($259)

Wellington-Christchurch $137 ($169)

Wellington-Blenheim $97 ($119)