Pacific Blue is to stop flying domestic routes in this country and redeploy its New Zealand-based aircraft on to the transtasman and medium haul international routes.The decision is included in the first phase of a network review by the Virgin Blue Group
Pacific Blue is to stop flying domestic routes in this country and redeploy its New Zealand-based aircraft on to the transtasman and medium haul international routes.
The decision is included in the first phase of a network review by the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines.
Virgin Blue chief executive officer John Borghetti said passengers holding forward bookings on New Zealand domestic routes from October 18 would be provided with re-accommodation and refund options.
The company was adding capacity to routes with strong revenue potential and removing capacity from services which were underperforming, Mr Borghetti said today.
Increasing capacity on transtasman routes would lead to a rise in New Zealand-based staff.
Pacific Blue now employed around 450 New Zealanders at crew bases in Christchurch and Auckland and its head office in Christchurch. The increase in international flying meant up to 100 new jobs would be created.
Under the changes Pacific Blue's Brisbane-Hamilton service will increase from three to four flights a week, Brisbane-Dunedin services will increase from three to four flights per week and the Christchurch-Melbourne frequency will increase from four flights per week to a daily service.
