New Zealand Updates
New Christchurch Best Western Hotel - Best Western Alpine Hotel in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch is the latest addition to the Best Western Hotel Group. This hotel is located in the CBD and just 7km from Christchurch Airport. Offers undercover parking free Wi-Fi and an onsite restaurant, making it very fitting for business travellers.
Virgin Australia opens Wellington Airport Lounge - Virgin Australia opened its first international lounge at Wellington Airport this month. The lounge features a relaxed atmosphere with sweeping tarmac views and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. The lounge is situated airside in the international departures area above gate 48. It is open to Velocity Frequent Flyer and Gold members, Virgin Australia Business Class guests, and Virgin Australia Lounge members on Virgin Australia operated flights.
Z & Airpoints Connect - Air New Zealand Airpoints members will be eligible for Z’s Pumped fuel discount programme. Members will be receiving six cents off a litre when they fuel up at Z petrol stations nationwide. This is the first time members can enjoy a discount on a product as a direct result of their membership.
Air Updates
Air New Zealand to upgrade Business Class seats - By the end of 2019, Air New Zealand will be set to debut the new upgraded version of their Business Premier international Business Class seat. The upgrade is set to roll out on their 777 and 787 aircrafts and will be due for completion at the end of 2020.
New Auckland to Vancouver service coming - Air Canada plans to launch a four times weekly service on the Vancouver to Auckland route from 12 December 2019. This move will inject around $38 million into the New Zealand economy by adding 30,000 seats on the route. Air New Zealand are currently is the only operators along this route.
Air New Zealand boosts Christchurch to Sydney services - Air New Zealand has increased frequency on its Christchurch to Sydney service. The service will operate up to 12 flights per week, increasing from its current 6 times a week.
Land Updates
Auckland Airport spending $5 billion - changing the way we travel - In the near future, Auckland Airport will spend more than $5 billion on key projects and billions more in the following years. The ''infrastructure deficit'' has been a long-running theme for the airport since it opened for operations in November 1965.
Air New Zealand roll out customer service offerings - As part of a two-year future investment in customer service, Air New Zealand fleets will include several new service offerings. Other key details of the plan include the rollout of a Business Premier product and upgrades to nine network lounges from the end of 2019.
Japan Airport to use face ID technology - Facial recognition technology will be installed at Japan’s Narita Airport and made available to the public in Spring 2020, as part of a new initiative called ‘One ID’ ahead of the Summer Olympics. Passengers will have their facial data recorded at the first airport touch point, usually check-in. This data will be collected with the passport and check-in data and the passenger will no longer be asked for their boarding pass or passport, including at security screening, boarding and baggage drop off, the airport says.
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