Airfare scheme a scam

Police are investigating a website offering bargain flights - in seats next to the cargo hold. Dobler Cheap Flights, which describes itself as an Auckland-based company, was selling low-cost tickets on flights anywhere in the world.

Buyers are seated "next to the luggage room" and must bring their own food, according to the website.

The Travel Agency Association of New Zealand's chief executive Paul Yeo said he would be "extremely wary" of the offer, which he labelled "highly dubious".

Yeo said neither of the two double-deck planes in use worldwide - the 747 and A380 - had sufficient room in the cargo area for seating.

The website had no contact phone number, and was registered to a non-existent North Shore address.

Emails sent to the company via the website were not answered and the day after the Herald on Sunday began making inquiries, the site was taken down.

Anyone who had paid for tickets and had concerns could contact the Ministry of Consumer Affairs at www.scamwatch.govt.nz.