Air New Zealand to Cut Price of Pacific Travel

Air New Zealand is to expand its successful everyday low Express fares to travel between New Zealand and Pacific Island destinations.

The everyday low fares will be launched in March for travel commencing mid year.

Air New Zealand chief executive Ralph Norris says the airline is committed to ensuring visitors to the Pacific Islands and residents of the idyllic nations have the opportunity to travel cheaper than ever before.

"Our combination of everyday low fares and great in-flight service is going to give more people the opportunity to take holidays, conduct business or visit family and friends in the Islands."

Mr Norris says the launch of the everyday low Pacific fares is a logical next step from the huge success of the domestic Express Class and Tasman Express services.

"More customers than ever before are flying domestically and across the Tasman. We currently fly more than 100,000 customers between New Zealand and Pacific Island destinations annually and I'm confident that thousands more will want to seize the opportunity to experience the unique cultures and beauty of the Pacific," he says.

Air New Zealand is also a key sponsor of the annual Pasifika event, which takes place at Western Springs in Auckland from March 12-14, 2004.