Qantas New Zealand takes off

Prime Minister Helen Clark this morning met the first Qantas New Zealand service at Auckland Airport.

Ms Clark was joined by Qantas New Zealand Chairman Ken Cowley, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon, and Regional General Manager New Zealand and Pacific Islands Paul Donovan. Qantas New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Doddrell travelled on the service.

Qantas New Zealand is the first airline to be awarded a Qantas franchise and today it officially began its scheduled services in the domestic market.

The transformation of the airline includes new signage featuring the red and white livery in terminals, offices and travel outlets.

The Qantas New Zealand reservations system is now hosted in the Qantas Universal Business Environment, known as QUBE. Six of the airline's fleet of 14 aircraft carry the new livery and the remaining eight will be repainted progressively over the remainder of the year.

Airport, reservations and customer service staff will wear the Qantas uniform.

Qantas New Zealand Chairman Ken Cowley says the franchise brings great opportunities for the airline.

"I believe bringing together a majority New Zealand-owned airline with a strong global brand is a winning combination," he said.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon said he was pleased to be able to witness the first Qantas New Zealand service.

"Customers are the winners in the franchise agreement and are offered a seamless Qantas product in the air and on the ground and now throughout the domestic New Zealand market," he said.

Commuter flights to and from Wellington, previously operated by Rex Aviation will now be operated by Tasman Pacific Connection.

Qantas New Zealand is operated by Tasman Pacific Airlines of NZ Limited, formerly Ansett New Zealand, under the first ever franchise extended by Qantas Airways. Qantas New Zealand ex expected to operate under its current organisational structure and work closely with Qantas Airways.