Singapore air fare increase

Press, 18 July 1978, Page 10

Singapore air fare increase

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor

The return excursion air fare between New Zealand ■and Singapore has been increased 7 per cent. Barely 10 days after many : people were predicting widespread cheaper fares. Air New Zealand has advised I travel agents that the ‘Auckland-Singapore roundstrip ticket will now cost $49 irhore.

The new excursion rate is I $7OB (plus $70.80 travel tax)! compared with a previous; fare of $659 (plus tax). The existing economy fare) ($l2OO return) and first-class’ 'fare ($1720) have not been 1 changed. Air New Zealand’s director iof marketing (Mr N. R. Searle) said the increase w'as ; necessary because of rising j costs. The rate has been I static for about three years. Mr Searle denied travel industry rumours that Singapore Airlines, the other carrier flying between Auckland land Singapore, had opposed ‘the increase. Executives of -the airline were not prepared to comment, but the Prime Minister of Singapore (Mr Lee I Kuan Yew) told me during an interview in September that air fares between his country and New Zealand were too high. Mr Searle, however, said that Singapore Airlines had been “quite happy” about the fare increase. I The validity of excursion

tickets has been increased I from 30 to 45 days. Economy and first-class fares to Singapore are i common-rated; that is. the fare remains the same irrespective of whether passenIgers leave front Christchurch, I Wellington, or Auckland. *

With the excursion fare, however, Christchurch and Wellington passengers have to add their domestic fares to Auckland to tlie $7OB After paying travel tax, therefore, Christchurch travellers to Singapore will have little change from $9OO.