Air NZ adds more seats to LA

Air New Zealand will increase flights between Auckland and Los Angeles following the exit of troubled United States carrier United Airlines from New Zealand.

From April 30, Air NZ will have 17 return flights a week, up from 14 at present.

The move is a response to growing demand and United's withdrawal, said chief operating officer Andrew Miller.

"Late last year we advised we would be maintaining our double daily service between Auckland and Los Angeles. There is now a clear need for additional capacity following the withdrawal of United Airlines' daily service," he said.

United, the world's No 2 carrier, said last week it would end its daily service between New Zealand and the US in March after falling ticket prices made the route unprofitable.

The airline is looking for ways to cut costs after filing the industry's biggest bankruptcy last month.

The withdrawal of United effectively leaves the route to Air NZ and Qantas.

Air NZ also said yesterday that it had exceeded $1 million for a single day's online bookings for the first time. Mr Miller said online bookings had jumped more than 20 per cent since cheaper fares were introduced in October.

- NZPA