News
Air New Zealand pleased with Houston route but cancels Vanuatu
January 29th 2016
Citing robust demand from U.S. tourists and oil executives travelling to and from Australia, Air New Zealand (Air NZ) this week said it would retain its five-weekly Auckland-Houston B777-200ER link in the northern summer schedule starting on March 30. The carrier connects on to Star Alliance partner United Airlines’ Houston network. Read More »
During a sale in Australia this month, Air NZ did not offer any premium economy or business seats to Houston at special rates as it has marketed for Los Angeles and San Francisco. An aviation industry source attributed the positive pricing to strong premium demand and added the carrier's new Auckland-Buenos Aires route was outperforming expectations.
The Auckland-based airline has reduced flights on the Auckland-Los Angeles and Auckland-San Francisco routes, which will become increasingly competitive when American Airlines and United enter the New Zealand market from June and July, respectively.
Meanwhile, both Air NZ and Australian rival, Qantas Airways, announced their flights to Port Vila, Vanuatu, were suspended, with immediate effect, as well as all codeshares with Air Vanuatu because of the unsatisfactory condition of the single runway at the island nation’s Bauerfield Airport. Virgin Australia and Air Vanuatu decided to maintain their flights for now, while Solomon Airlines said it would continue to operate its weekly Honiara-Port Vila-Nadi service after concluding “the runway was safe."
Following the announcements, Air Vanuatu CEO, Joseph Laloyer, along with shareholder' representatives, senior management and pilots met with Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) to plan for the continued use of jet aircraft at the airport. Interim measures being taken while the runway is permanently repaired include a daily 'sweeping' of the asphalt, plus regular inspections for debris before and after aircraft take off.
