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Air New Zealand aims to return flights to the majority of domestic airports when the country’s coronavirus restrictions are lowered to ‘Alert Level 2’ – a decision expected next week.
Chief executive Greg Foran said the airline plans to operate around 20 per cent of its usual capacity, but would not be able to offer cheap fares because of social distancing requirements.
He also warned that, even when all restrictions are eventually lifted, it will be a “slow journey” back to pre-coronavirus frequencies.
“This is the harsh reality of closed international borders and a depressed domestic economy, with more Kiwis in unemployment and people watching what they spend,” Foran said.
This week, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country is likely to leave Alert Level 3 and move to Alert Level 2 next week.
That would involve the opening of schools, bars, malls and hairdressers, with precautions.
For air travel, that means the national carrier can resume operations to the likes of Queenstown, Invercargill and Blenheim on the South Island and Rotorua, Gisborne and New Plymouth on the north.
“This comes on top of current flights to support essential service travel between Auckland and Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Napier, as well as between Wellington-Christchurch, Wellington-Nelson and Christchurch-Dunedin,” said Foran.
A full list of airports is below.
Additional routes and frequencies will be reintroduced “as demand permits” and once more details of the loosening of restrictions are announced.
“One-metre social distancing means we can only sell just under 50 per cent of seats on a turboprop aircraft and just 65 per cent on an A320,” said Foran.
“On that basis, to ensure we cover our operating costs, we won’t be able to offer our lowest lead-in fares until social distancing measures are removed.
“We live in the best country on earth and on our doorstep have world-class accommodation, attractions and activities. We’ll be strongly encouraging Kiwis to support our tourism sector and to visit friends and family.”
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Ardern warned there was a “lot of work to be done” before the much-speculated trans-Tasman bubble could become a reality, but played up the concept.
Speaking late on Tuesday after attending Australia’s national cabinet, she said, “A trans-Tasman COVID-safe travel zone would be mutually beneficial, assisting our trade and economic recovery, helping kick-start the tourism and transport sectors, enhancing sporting contacts, and reuniting families and friends.”
ALERT LEVEL TWO ANZ PROPOSED NETWORK
Auckland to/from
- Christchurch
- Gisborne
- Kerikeri
- Napier
- Nelson
- New Plymouth
- Palmerston North
- Tauranga
- Wellington
- Whangarei
- Queenstown
Christchurch to/from
- Dunedin
- Invercargill
- Nelson
- Palmerston North
- Wellington
- Queenstown
Wellington to/from
Adrian P
says:Avalon Airport is promoting itself for trans Tasman flights on the basis that there are still flights coming into Tullamarine from Asia requiring quarantine.