Pacific Blue adds Cairns-Auckland route

[DJ737]

Pacific Blue to start CNS-AKL

Hi there

From Virgin Blue :

Wednesday 30 December, 2009: Virgin Blue has re-affirmed its commitment to the people of Far North Queensland with the announcement that it will launch its first international service from Cairns to Auckland from 23 March 2010.

Virgin Blue’s New Zealand-based international airline, Pacific Blue, will operate the twice weekly flight, which is scheduled on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with the airline committing a Boeing 737-800 aircraft to the market, representing a 79% increase in seats available on the route.

In order to get the new route off the ground the airline has collaborated with a number of stakeholders including Cairns Airport Pty Ltd which has worked tirelessly to support Virgin Blue's first international service.

In celebration of the new services, the airline has launched a seven day ‘Happy New Year Sale’ with special fares for direct flights between Cairns - Auckland from $249* one way on the net, available from today until midnight 5 January 2010.

Following the sale, regular lead-in fares will start from $349* one way on the net, around 15%^ cheaper than what is currently available with the only other competitor airline servicing the non-stop route.
With over 30,000 visitors from New Zealand heading to Tropical North Queensland every year, Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said the new services will not only provide an alternative travel option but will also help grow the market.
“We’re particularly excited about this new service as it’s our first international route to and from Cairns.

“Importantly, we know that by putting more seats into the market and creating more competition we will be helping to stimulate tourism to the popular Far North Queensland region.”

“Furthermore, the non-stop services will negate the need for travellers in either direction to connect via other ports, so a trip ‘across the ditch’ will be a much quicker, more convenient and affordable option for everyone,” Brett Godfrey finished.

This will be an overnight flight CNS-AKL, and an afternoon flight AKL-CNS.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[docjames]

Re: Pacific Blue to start CNS-AKL

Interesting - I'll bet they've got some subsidies and/or incentives from CNS airport and local government.

Presumably the target is tourists (and a small amount of business traffic) that have / want to visit the GBR?

Who else currently has flights direct?

 

[NYCguy]

Re: Pacific Blue to start CNS-AKL

Interesting - I'll bet they've got some subsidies and/or incentives from CNS airport and local government.

Presumably the target is tourists (and a small amount of business traffic) that have / want to visit the GBR?

Who else currently has flights direct?

NZ currently has three return AKL/CNS/AKL services per week, using A320s. No red-eyes, though...

 

[docjames]

Re: Pacific Blue to start CNS-AKL

Thanks NYC guy.

Frankly i cant believe there's much money to be had on this route - presume they'll use PB's 737-700s?

 

[jaffa]

Just released.

Pacific Blue adds Cairns-Auckland route

 

[anat0l]

Interesting. Trying to give NZ a run for its money.

I wonder how the market is on that route.

NZ seems to be trying to short circuit DJ on the Trans-Tasman by opening up routes like SYD-ROT and international Tasman/Pacific routes connecting Australia e.g. to RAR and possibly others like TUO.

The price being offered - albeit cheaper than almost any indirect routing - still doesn't look awfully cheap. If the claim that they are much cheaper than the only other competitor on that route (which is NZ), then I can't imagine what NZ must be charging.

 

[Saab34]

Having a look at the ANZ website and can find plenty of fares for around $384 each way, cant see much less than this.

 

[brissyflyer]

Re: Pacific Blue to start CNS-AKL

Thanks NYC guy.

Frankly i cant believe there's much money to be had on this route - presume they'll use PB's 737-700s?

You might want to look at the original post which states 737-800.

 

[docjames]

Re: Pacific Blue to start CNS-AKL



Pays to re-read the press release pre-posting (not just the first post!)