Air New Zealand confident new Auckland-Western Sydney service will succeed
Air New Zealand is launching a new service to Western Sydney Airport, becoming the first international carrier to serve the facility. The airline remains optimistic about demand, citing a strong market for business travel and New Zealanders visiting friends and relatives in the region.
Why it matters
The expansion reflects shifting aviation infrastructure in Australia and the airline's strategy to capture the growing Western Sydney population.
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Air New Zealand says transtasman travel demand is strong as it counts down to being the first international carrier serving the new Western Sydney airport.
The airline said it had no immediate plans to cut back on services to the older Sydney Kingsford Smith airport.
From October 26, Air New Zealand will fly out of Auckland at 6am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, landing at the new international airport (WSI) at 7.45am Sydney time.
Kathryn O’Brien, Air New Zealand general manager for Australia, said WSI gave travellers more options.
The Western Sydney region had a substantial population of its own, with many expat New Zealanders, she said.
“There will certainly be a component of our customers that will be business markets,” she told the Herald .
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