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Air New Zealand yesterday sold 70,000 domestic fares in six hours - 10 times the number of last MondayÂ
A delighted Air New Zealand chief executive, Greg Foran, said Kiwis had been quick to book domestic holidays and trips after the Government yesterday eased physical distancing on planes and indicated most of New Zealand - aside from Auckland - could be in level 1 by Tuesday.
The announcements saw Air New Zealand introduce 160,000 fares of $50 or less into the market. Soon after that Jetstar announced it was roaring back to this country's domestic skies later this week.
Foran said 70,000 airfares had been sold in six hours - compared with 7000 airfares on Monday last week.
"They [travellers] are going all over the country - the load factors have been solid everywhere," Foran told Mike Hosking.
"Not everyone is going to Queenstown... they're going to all kinds of places from Hokitika, to Invercargill, to Kerikeri, Gisborne, Napier. We're very pleased with this situation."
Most airlines tried to operate at 80 per cent capacity - operating at 50 per cent wasn't viable. "Once we can get this middle-seat open, which we have with people wearing masks, that's a big deal for us."
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