Air NZ not keen on transtasman Dunedin flights
YOUR correspondent W. Petty (ODT, 9.4.18) complains about Virgin Australia’s Dunedin to Brisbane service, in favour of Air New Zealand, in apparent ignorance of the irony of Air New Zealand’s absence from that route (or any other of the Dunedin transtasman services once offered by them).
As one who has needed to make several flyin, flyout trips to Brisbane, I am heartily grateful that the Virgin service existed.
Whatever other airline might have been used involved wasted time at an intervening airport terminal, and a trip of at least twice the duration. No contest.
Air New Zealand could, of course, make amends, but their recent announcement (10.4.18) of ‘‘improved transtasman schedules’’ seems not, thus far, to include Dunedin.
R. Gardner
Waverley
I WOULD like Air New Zealand to tell us what their reason is for not using Dunedin Airport for international services.
Also, what is our city council going to do about it?
Why do we always have to travel to other cities to fly to Australia? They cannot say it’s from lack of patronage, as when we had flights going to Melbourne they were always full going out and coming in.
We have lost the only international flights we had — to Brisbane — and after October they are all now going to go to Christchurch, as if they need more flights.
It seems as if this is following on from what the last government did — putting money into selected cities.
I wish our council would actively pursue another airline to get them to do international flights in and out of Australia and also maybe they should look at lengthening the runway?
Jean Rowley
Fairfield
[Abridged]
Beating the bullies
A WELLEXPRESSED and pertinent editorial, ‘‘Bullies’ days are numbered’’ (ODT, 3.4.18).
Richard Barber
Dunedin
[Abridged]
Mixed messages
THE Government has repeatedly increased the cost of cigarettes in an attempt to reduce the use of tobacco.
NZ Post has again increased the cost of postage to counter falling use of its services.
Surely they can’t both be right? Rodney Bryant
Roslyn ...................................
BIBLE READING: I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy. — Jeremiah 31:13.