AirNZ cheered by signs of returning US demand
AUCKLAND – Air New Zealand’s drive to help halt the decline in international visitors to New Zealand is starting to show the first signs of success.
Group general manager international airline Ed Sims says aggressive pricing and innovative marketing in the United States has seen bookings improve in recent weeks.
“At this stage, with bookings up week-on-week, indications are we’ve stemmed the short-term demand fall which is good news for tourism operators.
“Cumulatively we remain a long way below last year’s bookings. Nonetheless we are now more confident that we will not have to reduce capacity further than the nine percent already in place for the next four months.”
Sims added, “It certainly is encouraging to see that in the face of an economic crisis in the world’s largest economy, US consumers are still prepared to spend when they spot a great product at bargain prices. New Zealand’s appeal as a clean, green and safe destination has never been more valued.
“The challenge we therefore now face collectively as an industry is to invest further in our nation’s presence offshore.
“We will have to work more collectively than ever to grow demand long-term during this challenging economic cycle and claw back some of the decline we have seen over the last 12 months.”
Air New Zealand is currently promoting return economy fares from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland for as low as US$738 (18% saving), Premium Economy US$2359 (30% saving) and Business Premier US$5400 (46% saving).
Ian Jarrett
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