Post by vgp on Feb 29, 2008 15:33:42 GMT 12
Tickets have gone on sale today for OzJet trans-Tasman flights in and out of Palmerston North, setting the scene for a new era in international travel from the city.
Australian regulators have allowed OzJet to release its schedule of flights, accept bookings and start selling tickets.
The move is a clear sign OzJet is nearing the end of a drawn-out process to obtain an international airline licence and it will be ready to go on March 30.
The airline will start with two return flights a week between Palmerston North and Brisbane and one return flight between Palmerston North and Sydney.
OzJet's full schedule of four weekly return flights to Brisbane and two to Sydney will kick in at the end of May.
It will start with a smaller programme than initially intended because until today it had been unable to sell tickets, OzJet commercial general manager Matt Payne said.
OzJet will review the service in July and decide whether or not it can add direct flights to Melbourne from October, he said.
Mr Payne described the airline as "a niche, boutique operator", taking over a route abandoned by Air New Zealand.
A one-way economy fare will initially cost $A199 and each trip will include breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on the time of the flight.
Ticket prices will include $NZ25 departure tax charged to passengers aged 12 and over.
The Boeing 737-300 aircraft will have 112 economy class seats and 12 in business class, Mr Payne said.
OzJet also has 737-200 aircraft, which will be used as backup.
Palmerston North Airport chief executive Garry Goodman said dealing with a small airline created room for innovation.
Including international departure tax in ticket prices - a New Zealand first - was one example. The airport will also look at making it possible for passengers at their destination to reclaim liquids, gels and other restricted items taken from them when they board.
The airline is expected to use Palmerston North Airport's location as a selling point.
"The holiday experience will start at the airport, not at the destination," Mr Payne said.
Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor said he was impressed with OzJet's commitment to working with Manawatu people to meet their needs and tailor the schedule accordingly.
"OzJet starting services here shows belief in the strength of our economy and our ability to sustain this kind of service," he said.
"Palmerston North will not be the only place to benefit when OzJet services begin next month. People in surrounding areas will have easy access to flights to Australia, and local tourist operators will undoubtedly see an increase in the number of Australian visitors."
Destination Manawatu leisure tourism manager Julia Sanson said having an Australian-owned airline fly into to the city will make it easier to persuade Australians to come to the region.
Bookings are available through travel agents, www.ozjet.com.au and 0800 4 OZJET (0800 469 538).
MAIDEN VOYAGES
* First flight in - Sunday, March 30.
* Departs Brisbane 11.30am, arrives in Palmerston North 6.10pm.
* First flight out - Monday, March 31.
* Departs Palmerston North 6.35am, arrives in Sydney 9am.
AT A GLANCE
* OzJet trans-Tasman services start with two weekly return flights from Palmerston North to Brisbane and one to Sydney.
* By June there will be four flights in and out of Brisbane and two in and out of Sydney.
* Its Boeing 737-300 seats up to 112 passengers in economy class and 12 in business class.
* The ticket price (economy) is $A199. New Zealand currency will be available within a month.
* The fare includes $NZ25 international departure tax.
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4420593a6003.html
Australian regulators have allowed OzJet to release its schedule of flights, accept bookings and start selling tickets.
The move is a clear sign OzJet is nearing the end of a drawn-out process to obtain an international airline licence and it will be ready to go on March 30.
The airline will start with two return flights a week between Palmerston North and Brisbane and one return flight between Palmerston North and Sydney.
OzJet's full schedule of four weekly return flights to Brisbane and two to Sydney will kick in at the end of May.
It will start with a smaller programme than initially intended because until today it had been unable to sell tickets, OzJet commercial general manager Matt Payne said.
OzJet will review the service in July and decide whether or not it can add direct flights to Melbourne from October, he said.
Mr Payne described the airline as "a niche, boutique operator", taking over a route abandoned by Air New Zealand.
A one-way economy fare will initially cost $A199 and each trip will include breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on the time of the flight.
Ticket prices will include $NZ25 departure tax charged to passengers aged 12 and over.
The Boeing 737-300 aircraft will have 112 economy class seats and 12 in business class, Mr Payne said.
OzJet also has 737-200 aircraft, which will be used as backup.
Palmerston North Airport chief executive Garry Goodman said dealing with a small airline created room for innovation.
Including international departure tax in ticket prices - a New Zealand first - was one example. The airport will also look at making it possible for passengers at their destination to reclaim liquids, gels and other restricted items taken from them when they board.
The airline is expected to use Palmerston North Airport's location as a selling point.
"The holiday experience will start at the airport, not at the destination," Mr Payne said.
Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor said he was impressed with OzJet's commitment to working with Manawatu people to meet their needs and tailor the schedule accordingly.
"OzJet starting services here shows belief in the strength of our economy and our ability to sustain this kind of service," he said.
"Palmerston North will not be the only place to benefit when OzJet services begin next month. People in surrounding areas will have easy access to flights to Australia, and local tourist operators will undoubtedly see an increase in the number of Australian visitors."
Destination Manawatu leisure tourism manager Julia Sanson said having an Australian-owned airline fly into to the city will make it easier to persuade Australians to come to the region.
Bookings are available through travel agents, www.ozjet.com.au and 0800 4 OZJET (0800 469 538).
MAIDEN VOYAGES
* First flight in - Sunday, March 30.
* Departs Brisbane 11.30am, arrives in Palmerston North 6.10pm.
* First flight out - Monday, March 31.
* Departs Palmerston North 6.35am, arrives in Sydney 9am.
AT A GLANCE
* OzJet trans-Tasman services start with two weekly return flights from Palmerston North to Brisbane and one to Sydney.
* By June there will be four flights in and out of Brisbane and two in and out of Sydney.
* Its Boeing 737-300 seats up to 112 passengers in economy class and 12 in business class.
* The ticket price (economy) is $A199. New Zealand currency will be available within a month.
* The fare includes $NZ25 international departure tax.
www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4420593a6003.html
