Direct flights between Christchurch and Perth will begin in
December.
The Air New Zealand flights will operate twice a week from
December 3 to April 26, and if they prove popular, they will become
permanent.
Christchurch Airport CEO Jim Boult says that's more than
19-thousand seats over 21 weeks and an outstanding boost for
Christchurch and the South Island.
"This new service is the result of collaborative planning by two
airlines and two airports - Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia,
Christchurch and Perth airports," he says. "All four of us
have long recognised the wisdom of offering these flights and have
now found timing to suit everyone.
"We know South Islanders want to visit Perth for the warmth and
stunning beaches, while Western Australians want to drive around
our scenery they see in travel brochures. They also never get snow,
so we know they're keen to come here to ski."
Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches says "We have been working
collaboratively for more than a year to establish this new service
and we are delighted that Western Australians and South Islanders
will have this exciting travel opportunity. We are confident
this will be a successful route and are delighted with Air New
Zealand's commitment to Perth. We look forward to welcoming
the new service in December."
Tourism Holdings Limited CEO Grant Webster says "This is great
news for the South Island and New Zealand tourism. As an operator
in both Perth and Christchurch, we can see the opportunity in
Western Australia both in-bound and out-bound. Perth is basically
our largest Australian branch now and shows on-going growth."
John Thorburn, Chief Executive of Ngāi Tahu Tourism agrees.
"Direct flights into Christchurch from Perth is great news. We
believe Western Australian visitors will stay longer and do more
activities, making this market an attractive opportunity for both
Ngāi Tahu Tourism and the wider industry."
Mr Boult says one of the attractions of the direct flights is
time saved.
"Travellers can save more than three hours flying direct when
compared to stopping over somewhere else, so that's very attractive
to both business and leisure travellers," he says. "The new direct
flight between Christchurch and Perth will offer both economy and
business class seats on a B767-300 and will offer the 'seats to
suit' product. In other words, there's something for every
traveller going in either direction."
Mr Boult says more than 25,000 people travel between
Christchurch and Perth every year and others have said they would
make the trip if there were a direct flight. He says the new direct
service offers another benefit for trans-Tasman travellers.
"At the same time Air New Zealand is commencing the direct 767
services to Perth, we will also benefit from capacity improvement
on the AirNZ service to and from Sydney - with some of these also
operated by B767 aircraft. It's a win-win."
The flights are likely to boost the airfreight between the two
areas. According to Statistics New Zealand, last year, the total
trading value of airfreight between Christchurch and Perth was
NZD$475 million, or in volume terms, 300 tonnes.
Background facts and figures re new Christchurch to Perth
Alliance partners service
- Largest origin/destination market on the Tasman not served by
direct services
- Volume between WA and NZ is nearly 300,000 -100,000 of it into
CHC, South Island and WLG
- 6.6% annual growth since FY07
- Origin destination passengers between CHC and PER is more than
25,000 a year
- If successful, the service will be considered for year
round schedule
- Period: 2013 December 4 to 26 April 2014 (21 weeks), twice a
week
|
Flt No
|
Route
|
Dep
|
Arr
|
Day
|
|
NZ 161
|
CHCPER
|
1540
|
1800
|
Wed & Sat
|
|
NZ 162
|
PERCHC
|
1910
|
0620+1
|
Wed & Sat
|
- B767-300, 232 seats
- Total seats 19,488 in 21 weeks
- Configuration: dedicated Business Class cabin and Economy Seat
to Suits products (excl Works Deluxe)
- Air New Zealand operated CHC-PER in April 1989 1x weekly
Air freight and business
- The total trading value of airfreight between CHC and PER in
2012 was NZD$475 million
- The total trading weight of airfreight between CHC and PER in
2012 was almost 300 tonnes
- A recent business survey suggests 17% of international round
trips between CHC & PER used first/business class
Source: Statistics New Zealand and CIAL data
About Perth, WA
- 2.4 million population, growth of 2.9%, more than double
national growth of 1.4%
- 32.7% residents are born overseas
- More than half of all advanced mineral and energy projects are
based in Western Australia
- 63 of top 300 companies in Australia have head offices in Perth
- strong contributor to business travel
- WA has the national's highest rate of short-term overseas
holidaymakers
- WA's gross state product per capital is the highest in
Australia
Images of WA attractions available
For further comment or images, please contact:
Yvonne Densem
Manager Communications
Christchurch International Airport Limited
Phone: 03 353 7807
Mobile: 021 450 202
Email: yvonne.densem@cial.co.nz
