Air NZ adds 12 flights for marathon

Air New Zealand has added more flights to Hawke's Bay to accommodate strong entry numbers for the Hawke's Bay International marathon.

Strong entry numbers for the Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon in May has prompted the airline to operate more flights to and from Hawke's Bay to accommodate passenger demand.

Air New Zealand will operate an additional 12 flights from Auckland and Wellington in the two days leading up to the inaugural event which will showcase the wine-growing region to runners and supporters from throughout New Zealand and around the world. A similar number of extra flights are planned for the two days following the event.

Air New Zealand chief sales and commercial officer Cam Wallace said it was fantastic to see such strong interest in the event in its first year, with 84 per cent of entries to date coming from outside the region.

There's also a significant international contingent with entries received from Australia, China and the United States.

"More than 1400 additional Air New Zealand seats will be available into and out of Hawke's Bay to help accommodate the thousands of entrants who have already registered.

"With just under three months to go until race day on 14 May, the marathon is set to become a landmark sporting event bringing significant benefits to the Hawke's Bay economy, just as the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon has done for Central Otago."

The Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay International Marathon also includes Half Marathon and 10km races as well as a 3km kids' race. More information can be found at airnzhbmarathon.nz