Air fare rise blamed on declining dollar

Press, 20 October 1981, Page 2

Air fare rise blamed on declining dollar

PA Auckland New Zealand’s declining dollar is blamed for a rash of international air fare increases which will begin on November 1. Most fares to Britain and Europe will rise by 5 per cent, to New Caledonia by 8.5 per cent, to Tahiti by 10 per cent, to Tonga by 11.5 per cent and to Fiji by 4 per cent.

The fare to Japan will go up by 4 per cent on November 1 — but this will be the result of fuel price increases and a decision made a year ago.

On the fares affected by currency > * devaluation, the cost of the tickets to New Zealand will not change if bought with local currencies in other countries. On the Auckland-to-London route, the economy class oneway fare will go from $l6OB to $1690, and the one-way excursion from $1406 to $1476. However, the cheapest of

the fares — early payment (Epic) and return excursion — will not change. The cheapest Epic is $1596. On the New Zealand-Japan route, the one-way economy fare will rise from $996 to $lO3B. This rise was agreed on by the International Air Transport Association in October, 1980. The Auckland-Tonga oneway economy fare will go from $292 to $330, and the Auckland-New Caledonia one-way economy from $268 to $291. An inclusive tour fare on this route will rise by the same percentage on December 1. On the New Zealand-Tahiti route the one-way economy fare will go from $626 to $692, and an inclusive tour and group fare will rise on November 15.

The Auckland-Fiji one-way economy will go from $317 to $330.

A formal announcement by the airlines on these rises is expected later this week.