Air New Zealand stopping direct flights to Queenstown from Brisbane

[iGATCHU]

Hi, just wondering if anyone knew why Air NZ are stopping direct flights into Queenstown from Brisbane starting 20th June? Seems odd when it’s the start of the ski season..

[Chris2303]

Originally Posted by iGATCHU

Hi, just wondering if anyone knew why Air NZ are stopping direct flights into Queenstown from Brisbane starting 20th June? Seems odd when it’s the start of the ski season..

A quick check for early July shows ZQN-BNE on Wednesday

[mattyj]

New arrangement with Qantas? (at a guess)

[fly real fast]

Not enough Pilots

[AerocatS2A]

Originally Posted by Chris2303

A quick check for early July shows ZQN-BNE on Wednesday

And 2nd August, A320, BNE - ZQN. Why does the OP think they are cancelled?

[Ollie Onion]

Air NZ are up sh$t creek, they have decimated their domestic regional network and invested heavily in the International expansion using the 787. That is bleeding money and now the international traffic figures are as they put it ‘softening’, the larger market into NZ is from China and the Chinese are arriving in their droves via Chinese carriers, the expansion market which has been their main expansion is on the verge of recession. Once the profitability leaves he international arm they are left with a solid domestic operation that can’t compete price wise with their Main competitor without making an horrendous loss. The Board has seen it and announced a cost cutting programme along with a full review of its network and resources, the wheels are about to grind to a halt at the Koru with a few years of just hunkering down, their biggest problem now will be trying to move some of their pilot resources from international to domestic A320.

[Slezy9]

Originally Posted by Ollie Onion

Once the profitability leaves he international arm they are left with a solid domestic operation that can’t compete price wise with their Main competitor without making an horrendous loss. ....their biggest problem now will be trying to move some of their pilot resources from international to domestic A320.

Are you saying Air NZ can’t compete with Jetstar domestically? I don’t think there is a need to. A certain type of person will always fly Jetstar and a certain type of person will always fly Air NZ, thankfully the latter far outnumber the former.

How is will it be a problem to move pilot resources from LH so SH? They can just direct people in reverse seniority order... done!

[Chris2303]

The Amadeus timetable site shows 3 flights per week in August

https://www.amadeus.net/tools/timetables

[SYDnewby]

Originally Posted by Chris2303

The Amadeus timetable site shows 3 flights per week in August

yes 3/week in winter.

Virgin has 8/week in winter(daily & 2 on Sundays)

Yesterday got email from Virgin (happy hour)

[SYDnewby]

Virgin 8/week nonstop(daily & 2 on Sunday) in winter.

Virgin happy hour yesterday had mid AUG to mid SEP return fares for $377/adult inc 23kgs & meals.

The govt charges are about $180 so VA not getting much on these loss leader fares(about $100 each way)

Queenstown is getting expensive. Lots of Chinese nationals going there.

Can't believe a Chinese tour operator would be paying more than an OZ operator, but maybe it's a numbers thing. Lot more Chinese