S.I. disadvantaged in new air fare

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 6

S.I. disadvantaged in new air fare

By

LES BLOXHAM.

travel editor

South Islanders face the prospect of being disadvantaged by the new round-the-world fare announced by Air New Zealand and British Airways this week. The reduced-rate deal allows travellers to fly round the world in one direction with as many as seven stopovers on Air New Zealand and British Airways services. The fare from Auckland is $3lOO. Christchurch passengers must pav $3292. the extra $192 being a 30 per cent discounted “pro-rated" domestic add-on fair for flights between Christchurch and Auckland. However, someone north of Waikato has apparently overlooked the fact that Air New Zealand also flies internationally from Christchurch. The anomaly arises where a South Islander elects to join (or leave) British Air-

ways' London flights at Melbourne or Sydney, and to use Air New Zealand's direct services from Christchurch.

By following such a routing. travellers would conveniently by-pass Auckland either as the beginning or end of their round-the-world trip.

The total distance would be shortened up to 1000 km and travellers would halve the hassle of trundling between Auckland's domestic shed and the international terminal.

Both Sydney and Melbourne are included in the long list of stopover options available with the round-the-world fare. British Airways flies twice a week between Auckland and London, via Australia. Air New Zealand's flights to London go across the Pacific, via Los Angeles.

When “The Press" drew Air New Zealand's attention to the apparent anomaly, a

spokesman replied later that travellers could fly direct from Christchurch to join British Airways in Melbourne or Sydney: provided thev paid the’ full listed fare. $3292.

To a suggestion that this seemed unfair as the traveller would not only be flying a shorter distance, but also taking only one domestic flight between Christchurch and Auckland, the spokesman said the fares had been worked out to give both airiines an equitable return. However, both the Ministry of Transport in Wellington and British Airways in Auckland showed greater sympathy for the disadvantaged southerner. A spokesman for the Ministry described the situation as “interesting" and agreed to look into it.

British Airways has referred the matter to London to see if a compromise deal can be arranged. A possible solution would be .two fares for travellers beginning their round-the-world trip in Christchurch. If they chose to transit in both directions through Auckland, the already listed fare of $3292 would apply. However, if they opted for a direct leg to Australia, it would be reasonable to expect some reduction in return for the unwanted portion of the round-trip domestic fare. Because that fare is already discounted, it is unlikely to be halved by Air New Zealand; but even a saving of $BO would be welcomed by most travellers.