ANSETT TO LAUNCH HONG KONG-MELBOURNE FLIGHTS

Ansett International has announced that it will begin non-stop flights from Hong Kong to Melbourne on November 1.

Ansett will operate four non-stop services a week from Hong Kong to Melbourne using a 214 seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft, after receiving regulatory approval to operate supplementary services for a three month period. The airline is seeking regulatory approval to operate these services on a permanent basis.

Ansett International General Manager, Garry Kingshott, said the new route marked the first step in the expansion of Ansett's international network since the integration of Ansett and Air New Zealand began. "Today's announcement is an early sign of the Group's commitment that growth opportunities into and out of Australia will primarily be exercised by Ansett International.

Non-stop flights will depart Hong Kong on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9.15 pm, arriving in Melbourne the next morning 9.25 am. Sunday's departure time will be 6.35 pm, arriving in Melbourne at 6.45 am.

Excellent connections to Adelaide, Launceston and Hobart are also available via Melbourne.

Ansett Global Rewards members will receive double Global Rewards points when they fly on the new service between 1 November and 15 December, regardless of the fare paid and class of travel.

Membership in Ansett's Global Rewards frequent flyer program is free of charge.

Ansett Australia has been serving Asia since 1993. The airline currently operates flights between Australia and four international destinations:

Bali, Fiji, Hong Kong, and Osaka, including daily flights between Hong Kong and Sydney. Ansett Australia is wholly owned by Air New Zealand.