Pacific Blue launches flights between Sydney - Wellington and Christchurch

Pacific Blue today launched its new services between Wellington and Sydney and Christchurch and Sydney.

Today's inaugural flights herald Pacific Blue's first foray into New South Wales from its home base of Christchurch, with Sydney being the first city the airline will operate services to and from Wellington.

Mid-Week Mini-Fares between both Sydney-Christchurch and Sydney-Wellington start from $199 one-way on the net, making travelling to New Zealand more affordable for more people wanting to jet across the Tasman to hit the ski slopes in the South or visit to Wellington with its many cultural attractions such as the Te Papa Museum and the easy access to some of the country's best wineries.

Pacific Blue currently operates daily services between Brisbane and Melbourne to Christchurch, and the addition of the new Sydney services are also set to boost tourism and business travel from the two key New Zealand ports to the NSW capital and beyond, with Virgin Blue's connecting services across Australia.

Pacific Blue CEO Tony Marks said, "Sydney is obviously one of Virgin Blue's most popular destinations domestically and we have no doubt the city's beautiful beaches, buildings and shopping attractions will appeal to New Zealanders looking for a weeks entertainment or a weekend mini-break. The flight times are also great for Kiwi business travellers who can spend the morning in the office in New Zealand before hopping on a flight to Sydney, arriving in time for dinner with clients in Sydney."

He added, "Australia is the most popular international destination for New Zealanders, while New Zealand is where the majority of Australians go when they travel off-shore. We are confident the expansion of Pacific Blue services will get more people travelling between the two countries, and this can only be good for everyone."

"We are certainly giving the other carriers a bit of a run for their money and at the same time, offering Aussies and Kiwis alike something they haven't had enough of to date - low cost, high service, daily flights across the Tasman", Tony Marks finished.

David Huttner, Head of Virgin Blue Strategy and Communications said, "Until now, only Auckland had real competition instead of a cosy duopoly. Since Pacific Blue announced its intentions we've seen Qantas increase capacity on Christchurch and Air New Zealand increase capacity on Wellington.

"Pacific Blue is proud of its role as a catalyst in ensuring that these two key cities are finally benefiting from high quality, low fare services across the Tasman", David Huttner finished.