Pacific Blue launches new domestic service

nzherald.co.nz's Eveline Jenkin was on the first Pacific Blue flight from Auckland to Wellington today and will file her views of the service this morning

Pacific Blue Airlines this morning launched its new domestic flights signalling the start of a new cheap fares war.

The service will operate between the main centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Pacific Blue announced the new service in August with promotional flights as low as $9.

Virgin Blue chief executive and co-founder Brett Godfrey said the New Zealand domestic flight market had suffered from "lacklustre competition".

Virgin group chairman Sir Richard Branson said he was "thrilled" about the new services.

"Air travel has been too expensive in New Zealand for way too long. It is a beautiful country and people should be encouraged to fly around and enjoy it."

- NZPA