Airlines ramp up discounting
A glut of plane seats on international routes has led to further cuts in longdistance airfares, albeit temporary.
Now, premium airlines are playing the discount game.
With about 30 carriers coming and going from Auckland International Airport, and more tipped to arrive in 2018, the news is likely to remain positive for travellers.
Flight Centre is selling a $1299 return fare to London as a special short-term offer, travelling on Air New Zealand.
The travel company couldn’t say how many seats it would offer as that would change day by day.
‘‘There’s more capacity in this market than there is demand to travel and that’s whats driving airline behaviour,’’ Flight Centre New Zealand managing director David Coombes said.
It’s evidence of an extremely competitive market with airline carriers vying for customers, he added.
While low-cost international airlines have often offered cut-price long-haul fares, Air New Zealand is a premium airline that usually commands a higher price.
‘‘Premium carriers are starting to play in this space where they haven’t been before,’’ he said.
While the low fare environment is likely to stick around for some time, given strong competition, the travel agent within prompted Coombes to urge customers to snap up the low fares as soon as possible.
‘‘[It may not be great for airlines] but what a great environment it’s creating for Kiwi travellers.’’
Return flights to Europe have dropped below $1000 in the past.
STA Travel made headlines in March with a $979 deal to London but it was on low-cost carrier Philippine Airlines and routed through Cairns and Manilla.
China Southern offered $999 flights to Europe and $1099 for a return ticket to London in February.
At the time, experts said the low fares were unlikely to hang around if fuel prices rose.
The fine print of the Flight Centre offer is that is is flying economy on Air New Zealand to London ex Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch and travels via Singapore or Los Angeles. Travel is for selected dates between March 5 and June 19, 2018.