ITC Industry News Bulletin #49
Travel news in New Zealand this week includes a historic flight, a major investment, as well as predictions for future tourism.
TOP STORIES
Queenstown celebrates first night flight
Up until May 1 2016, Queenstown had never been able to offer departures or landings after dark due to the airport’s location amidst the mountains. That all changed, however, when Air New Zealand landed its first ever flight after dark. The flight was the first test run for commercial services that will begin later this month.
A full schedule for passenger flights will come into effect not long after, which will see an additional 100,000 seats available between Auckland and Queenstown – an increase of roughly 15 percent on current levels.
This historic first was achieved with runway improvements, new airfield lighting and airline training and procedures.
“It really is a milestone for New Zealand aviation and we’re proud to be the first airline to offer this service to customers,” explained Air NZ Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan.
$20M boost for adventure park in Christchurch
A Port Hills adventure park has received a much-needed $20 million investment for construction. While the decision was made in March, the news has only just been made public.
The park is set to be built by Cashmere on a hilly 358-hectare section of land, and is slated to include more than 100 kilometres of downhill bike tracks, as well as ziplines, rock climbing areas, a chairlift and a large café. Altogether, the park will be the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) that approved the investment said that the recreation site would create a “substantial” benefit to New Zealand via the creation of new jobs and the additional investment from developers.
IN BRIEF
Air NZ announces profitability figures
New Zealand’s national carrier has released figures that show 2016 is going to be a hugely profitable year, but that 2017 will not show an improvement on that. This year has been boosted by record tourist numbers, but come 2017, the company expects that competition will hold figures steady. Read more
New flight connection between NZ and India
On May 1, Prime Minister John Key witnessed the signing of a deal between New Zealand and India that will see direct travel routes open up between the two countries. It is believed that the signing of the deal will improve tourism, trade and ties between NZ and India, the world’s second most populous nation. Read more
Ski resort managers unfazed by warm autumn
May has been warmer than usual for the Queenstown area, which has prompted some winter fans to speculate on the likelihood of a good ski season. NZSki chief Paul Anderson is not concerned just yet, however, saying that it’s still too early to tell what the weather will do, and that one cold snap is all it takes to kick off the season. Read more
All-you-can-fly airline scouts NZ market
All-you-can-fly company Airly is looking at NZ at a potential market for its private airline service. For a joining fee and a monthly fee, the service would allow travellers to fly as much as they like between city centres – rather than paying per flight as per usual. Read more
Internet star joins forces with Air NZ
Kiwi man Logan Dodds became an internet sensation with his viral travel video in September 2015. He is once again making headlines after travelling through New Zealand with Air NZ to create a second travel video to rival his first. Read more
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