The Airline says it was able to put 50,000 seats back up for sale, which otherwise would have been left empty under distancing requirements. Even with the return of Jetstar to the New Zealand Domestic network, Air New Zealand reported some routes, such as Auckland to Queenstown, were at 90 per cent pre-pandemic capacity.
"The school holidays brought a big boost to domestic tourism and we hope these fares will encourage New Zealanders to keep travelling and take advantage of some of the great deals tourism operators are providing at the moment," said Geraghty.
The appetite for domestic travel was able to offset the lack of inbound tourists, which would normally account for 20 per cent of seats. However, during the key summer season the lack of international tourists may be harder to replace as border restrictions remain in place.
The 140,000 summer seats might go some way to offset the shortfall, while Kiwi travellers have the country to themselves. For Kiwi holiday makers and tour operators, it will be a summer unlike any other.
Fares are available via airnewzealand.co.nz, for 48 hours.
