Milestones

Press, 5 December 1989, Page 35

Milestones

The Russian airline Aeroflot, said to be the world’s largest airline, is facing competition from a consortium set up by its own pilots. A new airline name ASDA (Association of Extra Long Haul Routes) has received preliminary approval from a Soviet State commission, according to the Soviet newspaper “Izvestia.” The pilots have until January to prepare final proposals. The new airline would fly leased Boeing

747 s and some of its staff would be redundant Soviet Air Force pilots. The airline hopes to be operating by 1991.

Air New Zealand is encouraging trans-Tasman holidaymakers to sample business class travel at a reduced rate. From December 15 to June 30, the airline is offering business class seats on the basis of a surcharge added to the normal advance purchase epic fare. The result is a saving of about $5OO on a return trans-Tasman business class fare. From Christchurch, the new holiday-in-style fares will be available to Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. * * * Adelaide, in South Australia, is Air New Zealand’s newest destination. A weekly non-stop service from Auckland starts on Thursday, December 21, A special introductoiy return fare of $549 will be offered on the service from December 28 until March 22, 1990. The special fare gives a saving of $541 on the normal advance purchase return fare for the season. The special fare is available for the period of the Adelaide Festival of Arts, from March 1 to 18 next year. ' » .• -, - Twenty-two South Island motor camps, from Takaka to Manapouri, have joined together in a network known as “Kiwi Camps.” They have devised a Kaycee Kiwi mascot and are making a bid to have overseas visitors, especially, use their network. The group is offering discounts, a variety of locations, and advice on local sightseeing. Its promoters in Queenstown says the Kiwi Camps will provide a friendly “* -~T'-

welcome and a range of accommodation for tents, caravans, and campervans. The group’s headquarters is P.O. Box 247, Queenstown.

Indonesia claims to have the world’s richest road race — the Bob Hasan 10-kilometre run, which will be held next on February 11, 1990. The course this time takes in the 1300-year-old Buddhist monument of Borobudur in central Java. Total prize-money for the race is SUSIOO,OOO (about $NZ170,000) divided between men’s and women’s sections. As well, bonus pnzes of up to SUSI million are being offered for any record-breaking times. About 4000 runners are expected and entries close on January 31. Indonesia’s airline, Garuda, is offering entrants and spectators a 14-day package tour from Auckland. The cost starts at SNZI743. The entry fee for the race is SUSSO.

Cathay Pacific, which is to lease Air New Zea-

land’s flagship Boeing 747-400, has also announced a SUS2BS million deal to buy two 747-400 freighters. In addition, Cathay has options on two further 747-400 s, and will decide later whether to configure them for passengers or cargo. Cathay has already taken delivery of six Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft, and is using the jets to augment services from Hong Kong to Germany and Britain.

British Airways has introduced the ultra longhaul Boeing 747-400 to its weekly LondonAuckland service. Flight BAH between London, Singapore, Perth, and Auckland will now be a weekly 747-400 service. The airline has made no announcement yet on when its 747-200 service to Christchurch will be upgraded to the new $125 million aircraft. British Airways’ New Zealand manager, Mr Richard Cobb, said the 747-400 would carry 386 passengers and 16 tonnes of freight