Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 19, 2007 14:43:59 GMT 12
Bookings are ahead of target for the direct flights from Invercargill to Wellington that are set to take off later this month.
Air New Zealand will start a non-stop link service between Invercargill and Wellington from October 29, in a bid to grow the market there.
John Hambleton, general manager of Air Nelson, which will run the service, said bookings to date were ahead of targets and were proof that the decision to increase services into the southern city had stimulated the market there.
He declined to say what those targets were.
A one-way flight from Invercargill to the capital city booked via the internet cost $262 an adult yesterday, fewer than two weeks out from the launch date. Those booking a month in advance paid just $216.
Meanwhile, a flight booked for the same date but with a Christchurch to Wellington connection cost just one dollar more, at $263.
Air New Zealand made the decision 12 months ago to increase its presence in Invercargill, something that had already paid off in other centres, Mr Hambleton said.
Direct flights between Napier and Christchurch and Nelson and Auckland had been increased from four to 10 flights a day since their introduction.
There was the possibility that the carrier might also be able to build frequency on the Invercargill to Wellington route in time, Mr Hambleton said.
As it stands, the carrier will operate a flight out of Invercargill at 6.30am on weekdays, departing Wellington at 4.50pm.
Weekend flight details will be as follows: Saturday 7.30am, Invercargill to Wellington; Sunday 4.40pm, Wellington to Invercargill.
The direct routes would shave an average half an hour off Wellington flights via Christchurch, he said.
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/4241436a6568.html
Air New Zealand will start a non-stop link service between Invercargill and Wellington from October 29, in a bid to grow the market there.
John Hambleton, general manager of Air Nelson, which will run the service, said bookings to date were ahead of targets and were proof that the decision to increase services into the southern city had stimulated the market there.
He declined to say what those targets were.
A one-way flight from Invercargill to the capital city booked via the internet cost $262 an adult yesterday, fewer than two weeks out from the launch date. Those booking a month in advance paid just $216.
Meanwhile, a flight booked for the same date but with a Christchurch to Wellington connection cost just one dollar more, at $263.
Air New Zealand made the decision 12 months ago to increase its presence in Invercargill, something that had already paid off in other centres, Mr Hambleton said.
Direct flights between Napier and Christchurch and Nelson and Auckland had been increased from four to 10 flights a day since their introduction.
There was the possibility that the carrier might also be able to build frequency on the Invercargill to Wellington route in time, Mr Hambleton said.
As it stands, the carrier will operate a flight out of Invercargill at 6.30am on weekdays, departing Wellington at 4.50pm.
Weekend flight details will be as follows: Saturday 7.30am, Invercargill to Wellington; Sunday 4.40pm, Wellington to Invercargill.
The direct routes would shave an average half an hour off Wellington flights via Christchurch, he said.
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/southlandtimes/4241436a6568.html
