Air New Zealand is plugging the gaps left by Jetstar. Photo / File
Air New Zealand is plugging the gaps left by Jetstar. Photo / File
Air New Zealand is ramping up its regional services in the wake of Jetstar's withdrawal.
The airline will operate an additional 253 one-way flights in December on services it operates between Auckland and Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson and Palmerston North, as well as between Nelson and Wellington, adding more than15,500 seats in the process.
Cam Wallace, Air New Zealand chief revenue officer, said the airline has been looking at ways to help support the routes affected by Jetstar's withdrawal from the regions.
"Air services are extremely important for regional New Zealand, particularly over the busy holiday period, so we're pleased to be able to step in and add capacity to the routes impacted."
Wallace said the airline was also looking at additional capacity on regional services post December.
"As we explained when we announced our proposal in September, this decision is based on our regional operations continuing to be loss-making, combined with higher costs and a softening of the regional travel market," Gareth Evans, Jetstar's chief executive officer said.
The number of additional flights and seats on each route for December 2019 are as follows:
Auckland – Napier Seats: 3,120 Flights: 48
Auckland – New Plymouth Seats: 2,404 Flights: 38
Auckland – Nelson Seats: 3,940 Flights: 59
Auckland – Palmerston North Seats: 3,120 Flights: 48
Wellington – Nelson Seats: 3,072 Flights: 60
Total additional seats: 15,656 Total additional flights: 253
