Flights booked out for U2 concerts

Flights to Auckland are booked out ahead of U2's gigs at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo /New Zealand Herald

Planning a last-minute flight to Auckland this week? A certain Irish band's presence means you may have to pay through the roof.

NZPA understands one business traveller only got on a high demand early morning flight this week off a waiting list and then paid nearly $1200 for a Wellington-Auckland return flight.

Flights from Wellington and Christchurch to Auckland were all but booked out on both Air New Zealand and Jetstar for today, tomorrow and Friday, something travel industry sources said was largely due to the U2 concerts on Thursday and Friday at Mt Smart Stadium.

One travel agent, who did not wish to be named, said the flights were much busier than normal.

"We get very heavy bookings when test rugby is on, but I don't remember seeing it this full for a long time," she told NZPA.

The heavy bookings made it particularly difficult for business people wanting to make the flights for late-scheduled meetings.

Air New Zealand had seats from Wellington to Auckland on one flight today, on two flights tomorrow and on four flights on Friday - three of which are after the concert is due to start.

All tickets are advertised to cost at least $328.

Jetstar has seats on just one flight from Wellington to Auckland on Thursday and Friday - at 10.35pm.

From Christchurch to Auckland, just two Air New Zealand flights have seats remaining tomorrow - for a minimum of $410. None are available from Christchurch to Auckland either today or tomorrow.

Air New Zealand said extra flights had been added because of the U2 concerts.

"Flights are very full and understandably the cheaper seats have sold out, leaving fully flexi fares available," an Air New Zealand spokesman said.

"The pricing of these fully flexi fares is no different from any other flight."

Accommodation at some hotels during the concert was reportedly three times the normal rate, the New Zealand Herald reported yesterday.

No cheap fares to Auckland immediately during next year's Rugby World Cup after the quarterfinals in Wellington were available on Air New Zealand.