Fewer cheap fares?

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 2

Fewer cheap fares?

PA Wellington Travellers may find fewer super-cheap fares if Ansett New Zealand closes, a tourist industry spokesman says. The Tourist Industry Federation president, Mr Barry Thomas, said that while there had been no great reduction in air fares since Ansett arrived, innovative packaging allowed people to travel more cheaply at off-peak times.

“I think there’s a possibility of the super cheap fares being restricted,” he said.

That was unless Air New Zealand decided to push hard to increase passenger numbers.

The economy, one-way fare for passengers travelling from Wellington to Auckland is about the same now as in 1981 when measured against the consumers’ price index. But super-special fares throughout New Zealand are much cheaper than those offered in 1981, when measured against the C.P.I. Air New Zealand works out its fare comparisons based on the average price passengers pay for fares. These statistics show that on average, travellers are paying 25 per cent less today than in the early 1980 s.

• The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, would meet

Ansett Airlines’ joint managing director, Sir Ppter Abeles, in Wellington at 11.15 a.m. today to discuss the future of Ansett New Zealand, Mr Lange’s office confirmed last evening. A spokesman, Mr Mike Wicksteed, was unable to say who else might attend.

He said Mr Lange had written to Sir Peter inviting him to outline the problems the airline faced after the sale of Air New Zealand to a consortium headed by Brierley Investments and Qantas Airways.

The meeting’s agenda would follow the form of Sir Peter’s reply.