More NZ ZQN flights

The increased capacity will take the total number of seats available on direct services over summer to 5,200 each way per week. The additional flights are expected to be available for booking from later next week, with four services per day in November (up from three) and five per day December through March. Timing of the extra service is expected to be a late afternoon departure from Auckland return. This follows last week’s announcement that Air New Zealand has slashed fares on its domestic jet routes, including a 20% reduction on the year round lead in fare between Auckland and Queenstown which now starts at $79. As well as the extra flights this summer, additional capacity is also coming through increased use of larger A320 aircraft on some existing services replacing Boeing 737 aircraft. Air New Zealand Group General Manager Australasia, Bruce Parton, says demand for Queenstown as a destination seems to have no bounds. “We’ve grown total passenger numbers on this route by 70% over the past five years and the trend is continuing. “We’re already seeing great patronage in and out of Queenstown this ski season with seat capacity on this route up 12% and we’re planning to build on that momentum during the peak summer months.”

Source : http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2012-direct-auckland-queenstown-flights-every-two-hours-this-summer