Pacific Blue to enter New Zealand domestic market
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South Pacific,
Pacific Blue Airlines
(CAPA) Pacific Blue announced plans to enter the New Zealand domestic market, with the airline launching services on the key Auckland-Wellington, Auckland-Christchurch and Wellington-Christchurch routes.
Virgin Blue Group of Airlines CEO, Brett Godfrey, said, "The decision was not taken lightly as it is a major investment and a long term commitment to keeping the "air fair" in New Zealand. The time is right to bring some much needed competition to the existing duopolistic market and we are excited to be opening up new travel opportunities for both the people of New Zealand as well as inbound tourists."
Brett Godfrey continued, "When Richard Branson visited New Zealand in January this year to celebrate Pacific Blue's third birthday, he promised that domestic services were something of interest to us under the right circumstances and at the right time. We are confident the circumstances are now right and there is room for competition and an obvious need for market stimulation. Pacific Blue is well positioned to give the existing players a good run for their money, particularly on the monopolistic Wellington-Christchurch route."
Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson said, "I am absolutely delighted to announce that Pacific Blue will soon be shaking up the New Zealand domestic market and bringing its unmistakable fun, flair and affordability to travel within New Zealand. I enjoyed a wonderful trip to New Zealand earlier this year, where I saw first hand the great enthusiasm and support for Pacific Blue. I am thrilled that we can further enhance our commitment to the local market with the launch of our domestic operations. We look forward to Pacific Blue spreading its wings and bringing long term domestic bliss, perhaps not for the competition, but certainly for locals and visitors travelling within New Zealand."
The airline will take delivery of two B737-800 aircraft to join the Pacific Blue fleet and operate both international and domestic New Zealand routes. The routes are tailored to suit the needs of the market in terms of frequency and schedule:
Auckland-Wellington
Pacific Blue will operate five daily Auckland-Wellington services from 15-Nov-07. A special sale fare has been launched of NZ39 one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available until 16-Sep-07, or until sold out, and is for travel from 15-Nov-07 until 29-Feb-08. Fair fares will start from NZ69 one way, 22% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.
Auckland-Christchurch
Two daily Auckland-Christchurch services will be available from 15-Nov-07. A special sale fare has been launched of NZ39 one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available until 16-Sep-07, or until sold out, and is for travel from 15-Nov-07 until 29-Feb-08. Fair fares will start from NZ79 one way, 30% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.
Wellington-Christchurch
Three daily Wellington-Christchurch services will be available from 15-Nov-07. A special sale fare has been launched of NZ39 one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available until 16-Sep-07, or until sold out, and is for travel from 15-Nov-07 until 29-Feb-08. Fair fares will start from NZ69 one way on the net, 12% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.
The internal services will complement Pacific Blue's existing international services, providing connections from within New Zealand to Australia, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
Adrian Hamilton-Manns, General Manager Commercial, said, "The people of New Zealand have supported Pacific Blue in its quest to bring true low fares, genuine competition and fun and flair to trans-Tasman travel and that very support has given us the motivation to bring the same product and affordability to the domestic market where it is much needed. It is no secret that the existing domestic duopoly results in higher fares and half-hearted competition and we very much look forward to challenging that and championing affordability for local travel."
Pacific Blue plans to double its staff numbers over the next three years as it ramps up domestic operations.
About Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, and Virgin Blue Airlines
International airlines Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, along with Australian domestic airline Virgin Blue, operate a fleet of 53 B737 aircraft operating to eight international and 22 Australian destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
Date posted: 23-Aug-07
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Pacific Blue to enter New Zealand domestic market 
