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Home / New Zealand

Coronavirus impact: Air NZ $9 flights sell out in minutes

NZ Herald
1 Mar, 2020 09:51 PM3 mins to read

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Focus: Prime Minister Ardern outlining procedures being taken at the Auckland International Airport in response to the Coronavirus. Video / Jason Oxenham

Air New Zealand's $9 one-way flights sold out within minutes and crashed the Grabaseat website.

At 9am, 70,000 people clambered to snatch up the 1000 cheap fares that the airline released to fill seats in response to softening demand thanks to coronavirus fears.

The demand broke all previous Grabaseat records, a spokesperson said.

The $9 one-way fares were launched to all of Air NZ's 20 domestic destinations.

READ MORE:
• Coronavirus: Air NZ slashes Samoa flights, all passengers require medical certificate
• Coronavirus NZ-Australia airfare war: Air New Zealand cuts prices to $69 in battle with Qantas
• Air New Zealand Grabaseat airfares launched: $19 domestic flights, $99 overseas travel

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But many Kiwis looking to grab themselves a deal were left frustrated as the Grabaseat website crashed.

At 9am, the Herald visited the site but was unable to get through to a number of the routes and when the site worked, many were already sold out.

Some people have taken to Twitter to express their frustration at being unable to get through.

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@FlyAirNZ wow air nz your website crashed after those $9 one way flights 😫😫 so annoying

— shelly 🥀✨ (@Sassyshazzi) March 1, 2020

Air NZ website booking engine has crashed

— Steve Biddle (@stevebiddle) March 1, 2020

Ridiculous deals on flights

Air NZ's chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said last week Kiwis could get some "ridiculously good deals" on flights across the Tasman, citing one-way fares from $69 on flights from Auckland to Melbourne as an example.

"Like all airlines we have seen some softness in demand on routes like the Tasman where we now have some empty seats due to travellers mainly from Asian destinations not connecting between New Zealand and Australia.

"Kiwis and Aussies are going to be able to head away for holidays or to see family and friends or do business for cheaper than a night's accommodation at most hotels.

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have all reduced capacity over the Tasman as a result of coronavirus travel bans and fears over the outbreak but are dropping prices to ensure planes are as full as possible.

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Earlier on Sunday, Air NZ announced it was halving its flights to Samoa after the island nation insisted that all passengers carry a medical certificate confirming they are fit to travel.

The national airline has cancelled one flight, and reduced its service from six flights to three from Monday after being ordered to do so by the Samoan Government from midnight Sunday.

Samoa's health officials have also introduced a requirement for all passengers entering the country to carry a medical certificate dated within three days of travel in response to the global coronavirus outbreak.

"All passengers to Samoa are now required to carry with them a medical certificate, indicating they are well and able to travel," Air NZ said.

The airline has cancelled its Auckland-Apia flights scheduled for today, Friday and Sunday.

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