Air New Zealand (NZX:AIR) offers flights under $60; Airlines Go aggressive to sell seats

Summary

• Airlines launching innovative strategies to sell tickets, as New Zealand cautiously gets back on its feet
• Air New Zealand offering a sale for domestic flight with more than 140,000 domestic tickets offered just under NZ$60.
• Air New Zealand will arrange a select flight which will host a documentary on a famous Kiwi rock band Six60.
• A seven-hour scenic joy flight was arranged by Australian Airline Qantas - "flight to nowhere". 

It's not often you hear about airlines offering massive sales these days. After many months, now that New Zealand is cautiously getting back on its feet, airlines have spruced up their sales tactics to cope up from the losses they suffered during the lockdown. 

In October, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment released figures which showed tourism spending in New Zealand dropped across all regions to $25.1 billion, a 15% year-on-year drop for the year 2020 ending August.  

The aviation sector is hoping for two-way travel between New Zealand and Australia to start before Christmas. For New Zealand, Australia's visitors are the primary source of tourism revenue. 

Air New Zealand's tickets selling fast

New Zealand's most beloved airline Air New Zealand Limited (NZX:AIR) announced that it is selling more than 140,000 domestic tickets just under NZ$60. The airline aims to target the New Zealanders and encourage domestic travel during the summer season. 

The NZ$60 ticket is a one-way travel fare for flights scheduled between the second half of November till the first week of February in 2021 for airlines domestic locations. 

Air Leanne Geraghty, New Zealand chief customer and sales officer, said that the NZ$60 as ticket sale is a "fantastic price" for the Kiwis. They are looking to explore the domestic tourist locations in the country or meet with their friends and family. 

During the school holidays, Kiwis showed a tremendous response to domestic destinations. The increase in travel benefitted the communities across New Zealand, which depends on the travel and tourism industry. Therefore, Geraghty believes that the lower fares will encourage the travellers to take advantage of the deals again, travel and tourism operators are offering them right now. 

Related Read: Air New Zealand’s Passengers Numbers Decreased by ~74%

A flight from Auckland to Nelson for the first weekend of December, flying on Saturday and returning on Monday will cost just NZ$59 one way. Anyone planning on travelling from Wellington to Nelson, the weekend before Christmas will not be able to catch this deal. If they book the flight on Friday, they will be able to get the NZ$59 flight, because on Saturday the flight ticket will cost NZ$139 and the first Sunday after Christmas to get back home will cost NZ$159. The travellers will plan to check the routes on the Air New Zealand booking page to review the flights offering NZ$59 tickets. 

Good Read: Kiwi’s Thirst for Travel Re-Ignites, Air New Zealand Sells 110k Tickets

A desperate attempt to attract customers 

Last month Air NZ announced that it would access the NZ$900 million government loan in order to help it recover the losses occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the month of August, the national airline announced an after-tax loss of NZ$454 million. It is believed to be one of the most significant losses reported by a corporation in New Zealand in recent times. After its annual report came out, the airline was forced to reduce the cost of its planets. Like many other companies, suffering from losses due to the reduced travel because of the coronavirus health crisis, Air NZ had to lay off around 4000 staff members. 

Also Read: Air New Zealand Limited Decreased Cash Outflows for FY 2021

Innovative ideas to sell tickets by AU-NZ airlines

COVID-19 pandemic has forced most of the companies around the world to reshape their business strategies. As people are choosing to stay home and avoid spending money amid an uncertain future, corporations are introducing innovative ways to offer products and services.

Special flight by Air New Zealand, premiering documentary on a famous Kiwi rock band Six60

Air New Zealand will host a special flight which will premiere a documentary on a famous Kiwi rock band Six60. The flight tickets quickly sold out after it went on sale on October 8. The flight will depart from Auckland and reach Dunedin on November 14. It will showcase a new film about the popular Kiwi band, by Julia Parnell entitled SIX60: Till the Lights Go Out. The customers and SIX60 fans will be able to meet and greet with the band on the flight. 

Air New Zealand's general manager brand and marketing Jeremy O'Brien said that they are pleased to show the world premiere of the film inflight. 

Did You Read: Air New Zealand Top Boss Resigns; Woes Continue for the NZX-listed Airline Major

Qantas' flight to nowhere' sold out

Australian Airline Qantas sold out "flight to nowhere" in minutes, and 150 passengers boarded the flight which departed from Sydney. 

Many travel enthusiasts are craving to travel again but not able to because of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions. Qantas on October 12, took 150 lucky passengers – en route to nowhere! 

The special seven-hour scenic joy flight was set to cover Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. The passengers are Qantas airline's frequent flyer members who experienced a unique tour at 38,000 feet.