Air NZ to operate Australia - Norfolk Island flights

[Jon Harris]

From today's Travel Daily...

Air New Zealand selected as successful Norfolk Island aviation tenderer

Air NZ will provide services to Norfolk Island from both Brisbane and Sydney, after winning the recent government tender to provide the services.

The new operation will complement the airline's existing weekly flights between Auckland and Norfolk Island, with group gm Australasia Bruce Parton saying the move will see Air NZ now flying a total of five days per week into Norfolk Island.

A 168-seat Airbus A320 will be used for the Australia-Norfolk routes, which Parton said are a "good fit into the airline's short-haul schedule.

"We are excited about the opportunity to deliver our award-winning, uniquely Kiwi experience to customers who will be travelling with us between Australia and Norfolk Island," he said.

Parton said another benefit for Norfolk Island Tourism is the ability for Air NZ to offer dual destination travel, while the carrier will leverage its strong distribution platform in Australia to assist with the ongoing promotion of Norfolk Island as a destination.

Initially Air NZ will operate twice per week from Sydney to Norfolk Island (on Mon and Fri) and two per week ex Brisbane (on Tue and Sat) with the operation to commence on 02 Mar 2012.

The carrier is also confident that demand will allow it to deliver additional flights during busy tourism months.

Air NZ's "Seats to Suit" product will be on offer on the Norfolk flights, which will be available for booking from tomorrow.