Air N.Z. replies in domestic fare war

Press, 22 January 1988, Page 4

Air N.Z. replies in domestic fare war

PA Auckland Air New Zealand’s latest shot fired in the domestic air fare war applies to only one daily flight to Wellington and none to Christchurch scheduled at the same time each day. The fare, 35 per cent below normal economy, will be available from Monday to rival Ansett’s 30 per cent off-peak cuts announced earlier this week. Both low fares apply only. between 10.30a.m. and 3.30 pm, after 7.30p.m. and at the week-ends.

The Ansett fare is available on all off-peak services but Air New Zealand is restricted to offpeak City Saver flights which run during peak periods with a 25 per cent CUt; Ansett offers full inflight service with the cheap fare while Air New Zealand’s City Saver and Super City Saver are "no frills” service. Air New Zealand flies few off-peak City Savers on the trunk routes from Auckland to Wellington and Christchurch. The only daily flight from Auckland to Wellington with a $105.60 fare

compared to $162.80 normal economy, leaves Auckland at 12.20p.m. A week-days-only service leaves at 2.45p.m., a Saturday-only service at 3.30p.m. and a six-day flight at 9.30p.m. It flies from Auckland to Christchurch with a $141.90 fare instead of the regular $218.90. The domestic marketing manager, Mr Bob Wallace, said Air New Zealand began the domestic fares battle with the City Saver and was determined .to remain “the front runner.”