The trade, and Kiwi airports, have welcomed the news that Qantas is adding an extra 60,000 seats on Tasman routes for the Dec-Jan peak—as the airline group continues to bolster its Tasman offering.
The QF move is in response to strong demand and the carrier is said to be enjoying some impressive loads on its Tasman routes. “A House of Travel Insights Survey of 4000 customers found that Australia remains the top destination for New Zealanders this year, with 60% planning to travel there. Given this demand, any increase in capacity is positive news for consumers,” says House of Travel chief operating officer Dave Fordyce. The HoT exec adds that the additional peak capacity gives much-needed flexibility for travellers on both sides of the Tasman. At the same time QF is bullish about its continued Tasman expansion. “This year has already seen huge growth in New Zealand for the QF Group, from the announcement of two new QF routes [AKL-PER and ADL] to the refurbishment of our Auckland lounge well underway and the upcoming launch of three more new transtasman routes for Jetstar,” says QF ceo international Cam Wallace. “Today we’re so pleased to offer even more Tasman flying for Qantas Continues Tasman Advance customers, which will mean QF will have the most frequency between Australia and New Zealand at one of the busiest travel periods of the year.” Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s chief customer officer says the additional peak QF Tasman capacity this summer is a strong signal of ongoing demand for travel between our two countries. With the additional capacity QF will operate more than 3.3 million seats across the Tasman.
. . . The Details
Qantas’ move to add 60,000 seats on the Tasman Dec-Jan, compared to the same time last year, is the equivalent of a 20% Tasman capacity boost. The biggest percentage increases are for its services south of Auckland. Under the changes the carrier will add up to three extra flights a week between ZQN and BNE, a 75% year-on year capacity increase); and up to two more fights a week ZQN-MEL (up 50%); and up to three extra flights CHCMEL (a 26% increase); up to seven extra flights per week CHC-SYD (a 47% increase) up to five more flights a week WLG-SYD (up 31% year-on-year). The carrier will also operate six extra flights a week AKL-SYD (a 16% increase); and up to seven additional flights per week AKL-MEL (a 23% increase).
