Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are launching a joint campaign in the US and Canada today to showcase New Zealand and encourage North American travellers to book a holiday to New Zealand. The campaign features a special offer for flights to Auckland in the low and shoulder seasons, with the option to add-on a visit to any one of Air New Zealand’s twenty domestic destinations.
Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said, “With the New Zealand borders now fully reopened to the world, a thriving tourism industry is important for both New Zealand and Air New Zealand. By launching new marketing activity in the US, we’re doing all we can to remind travellers that New Zealand and all its regions is a beautiful place to visit, any time of year. We’re excited to be kicking off our first three-way joint venture campaign since 2019 and reinvigorating our partnership with United Airlines in North America, extending Air New Zealand’s network in the region.”
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy says, “The return of travellers to New Zealand and the recovery of air links from important markets such as North America is an important step for the tourism sector. We’re able to join forces with Air New Zealand so that destination New Zealand attracts high quality visitors from this important market. The campaign will encourage visitors to travel more widely around Zealand to accelerate and support the sector’s recovery.
Geraghty added “We’ve been flying to the US for more than 50 years – it’s an incredibly important market for us. It’s fantastic to see that over the next few months and leading into Christmas, flight loads are performing really well and by summer (in New Zealand), seat capacity will be back to around 85 percent of pre-COVID levels. To solidify this position, in just five days, Air New Zealand will for the first-time touch down at John F. Kennedy International Airport, making the non-stop Auckland – New York service the airlines seventh US port. And to demonstrate our commitment to the Canadian market and due to an increase in demand, we’re excited to announce we’ll commence a daily service between Auckland and Vancouver.”
Masks no longer required on ANZ
Face coverings will no longer be required on any Air New Zealand operated flights from 13 September 2022 following the government’s announcement that face masks will no longer be required on inbound international or domestic flights. Masks may still be required on some outbound international flights depending on the individual jurisdiction the flight is arriving in. Air New Zealand’s Chief Customer and Sales Leanne Geraghty says customers will still be welcome to wear their own face mask if they wish and the airline will continue to make masks available. “Masks have played an important part in keeping customers, crew and communities safe during the Covid pandemic, but it’s time to say farewell. While some customers and employees will welcome this news, it doesn’t mean masks are disappearing forever. We really encourage customers to continue to do what makes them comfortable, which is the same message we’re sharing with our employees. I want to make a special call out to our frontline staff who have smiled behind masks during a difficult period, often wearing masks for hours on end. They’ve helped keep customers and our communities safe, and we’re looking forward to seeing their smiling faces again.”
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