Air New Zealand finds favour with Canadians

IAN STALKER

Air New Zealand is marking a decade of linking this country with its home base, with Maureen Kam – the carrier’s country manager, Canada – praising her airline’s “growing strength in the Canadian market” during a recent Toronto gathering.
“Canada is an integral part of Air New Zealand’s business,” Kam said. “In the year up to June, we’ve had over 66,000 visitors arrive in New Zealand from Canada. That’s a 19% increase year-on-year. We certainly see the demand for the destination grow and that is why we recently announced that we are growing our operations by nearly 20% starting from January to July. That’s an extra 15,600 customers we can bring to New Zealand to experience the wine, the culture and soak in the beautiful surroundings.”
Kam – whose airline includes Vancouver in its network – noted that New Zealand can provide a refuge for winter-weary sorts as its summer is our winter.
Air New Zealand has in part gained attention internationally in recent years because of catchy promotions, leading Kam to declare that, “Innovation is at the core of what we do at Air New Zealand.” Kam praised the “fresh food in all of our flights, crafted by internationally renowned chefs”; wines chosen by “masters of wine”; “true lie-flat beds in Business Premier cabin”; “luxury leather seating” in Premium Economy; and the carrier’s Economy Sky couch, a “unique product to the aviation industry.”
Kam also said that that it’s “super simple” for people to travel to Australia via Auckland with Air New Zealand. There are same-day connections from the city to eight Australian destinations, and passengers won’t have to change airport terminals in Auckland or go through immigration and customs there while en route to Australia, she reported. As well, their bags will be sent through to Australia.
Meanwhile, Goway Travel president Bruce Hodge said after the Toronto gathering that Air New Zealand reflects the “spirit of the Kiwis. They come from a small country whose population is the size of Toronto, but they love to punch above their weight.
“They are unquestionably one of the best airlines in the world and their classy night was a reflection of that.”