More people will be able to fly from Tauranga to Auckland next year with the addition of a 68-seat ATR-72 aircraft to the airport's manifest.
Air New Zealand has confirmed the ATR-72 will fly the evening weekday flight between Tauranga and Auckland in place of the 50-seat Q300, from February 2014.
More people will be able to fly out of Tauranga Airport next year.
Air New Zealand is also going to replace some 19-seat weekend flights with 50-seaters from next year.
Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble says the announcement is good news.
'The airport is continuing to grow and flights are getting fuller all the time and reaching capacity.”
He says it's something the city needs.
'Obviously there is more turnover passenger wise, more flight numbers and more carpark turnover.
'We are in constant dialogue with Air New Zealand. They are running a business and monitoring their flight loads and demands.”
ATR's are currently only used for flights on Friday nights.
5 comments
Weekend juant?
Posted on 10-10-2013 10:12 | By YOGI BEAR
Guess many like to escape from Tauranga when can. But the price of seat can be very high out of Tauranga, result would be better served if the price from TGA to/from AKL was a lot less than across the Tasman. Seems strange that a 25 minute flight costs more than a 180 minute flight, but that is competition I guess.
How about some competition?
Posted on 10-10-2013 13:58 | By Phailed1
Anyone else think that when Air NZ had competition out of Tauranga the prices were lower? Anyone else think that prices out of Tauranga to Auckland would have to be some of the most expensive short distance airfares in the world?
Overit
Posted on 10-10-2013 17:14 | By overit
I would never fly at the prices they ask.
cheaper
Posted on 10-10-2013 23:04 | By Capt_Kaveman
to drive to Dorkland and back
People Just Dont Understand!!!!
Posted on 11-10-2013 10:29 | By JustPlaneMad
For goodness sake. What people fail to realize is that seats on a 19, 50 or 68 seater plane (Beechcraft 1900D, Bombardier Q300 and ATR72 respectively) cost far more than a Boeing or Airbus Jet. Prices into/out of Tauranga are not bad, a last minute fare to Auckland can cost around $170 which is not shocking. Competition does have a part to play, but places like Tauranga cannot ultimately support two airlines. Origin Pacific tried, and failed! Instead of complaining about fares to Auckland, just drive. No one is forcing you to fly! Tauranga to Auckland is by far not the most expensive short distance flights in the world. Be thankful Air NZ are adding more seats into the AKL-TRG market. That mean an extra 18 seats per flight, which means a few more cheapish fares!
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.