Virgin Blue Airlines and its three-year old New Zealand subsidiary Pacific Blue have announced major plans for a new domestic airline for New Zealand with flights commencing in November 2007. The successful Pacific Blue brand will be used.
Initially the carrier will fly on New Zealand's key trunk routes: Auckland - Wellington, Auckland - Christchurch and Wellington - Christchurch, from 15 November 2007.
According to partner airlines the decision to enter New Zealand”s domestic market comes in the wake of strong support and lobbying from the New Zealand community for Pacific Blue to bring its service style and competitive fares to internal New Zealand flights, in the same way it has done on the trans-Tasman and South Pacific operations.
Virgin Blue Group of Airlines chief executive, Brett Godfrey (pictured cutting the ribbon above), said: "The decision was not taken lightly as it is a major investment and a long term commitment to keeping the 'air fair' in New Zealand. The time is right to bring some much needed competition to the existing duopolistic market and we are excited to be opening up new travel opportunities for both the people of New Zealand as well as inbound tourists."
Godfrey continued: "When Richard Branson visited New Zealand in January this year to celebrate Pacific Blue's third birthday, he promised that domestic services were something of interest to us under the right circumstances and at the right time.
”We are confident the circumstances are now right, there is room for competition and an obvious need for market stimulation. Pacific Blue is well positioned to give the existing players a good run for their money, particularly on the monopolistic Wellington-Christchurch route."
The airline will take delivery of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to join the Pacific Blue fleet and operate both international and domestic New Zealand routes. The services, which all begin 15 November, are tailored to suit the needs of the market in terms of frequency and schedule:
Auckland-Wellington - five direct daily return flights.
Auckland-Christchurch - two direct daily return flights.
Wellington-Christchurch - three direct daily return flights.