Airfares dive again, with Hawaii return on offer for $399
Return fares to Hawaii have plunged again, with Helloworld selling seats for $399 on Air New Zealand.
The record low fares trump a deal at the weekend where return flights were selling for $499 and reflect intense competition between the carrier and Hawaiian Airlines, whose entry on to the Auckland-Honolulu route nearly six years ago has seen prices drop dramatically.
Helloworld’s head of marketing, David Libeau, said the $399 deal was “unbelievable” and showed airlines appeared to have significant surplus capacity.
“Over the last week airlines have tried the $499 level but were keen to support us with a new initiative, so we have grabbed it and are running with it — $399 is unbelievable considering taxes for the USA are quite significant,” he said.
Travel periods are for selected
$399 is unbelievable considering taxes for the USA are quite significant. David Libeau Helloworld head of marketing
dates this month through to April and the agent said there were a “decent” number of seats. A $499 fare — the same level as those on sale through Flight Centre at the weekend — is also on offer for dates in May-June.
The deals, on offer for three days, are part of Helloworld Travel’s annual “mega sale” which coincides with the chain’s third birthday.
Rarotonga and Samoa holidays include free domestic flights from any Air New Zealand domestic airport.
In addition Hong Kong is on sale from $699, Tokyo or Singapore for $899, New York or Johannesburg from $1399 on Qantas and London or Amsterdam from $1599 on Emirates.
While fares have reached some record lows, Helloworld’s executive general manager, Simon McKearney, said this may not last.
“Post mid-year travel, we are seeing real indecision in the pricing arising purely out of fuel cost uncertainty for the airlines,” he said.
“This combined with the likes of the insecurity of Brexit is now filtering through to airlines and we are pretty certain pricing will be considerably higher come the end of the year.”