Quantcast

Air New Zealand prepares for increased passenger numbers during school holidays

Air New Zealand prepares for increased passenger numbers during school holidays
Policy
Webp t8x4qukfr8s9xogha3ywtgmjbbab
David Morgan Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer | Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand is preparing to accommodate 745,000 travelers during the upcoming July school holidays. From June 27 to July 13, the airline expects to serve 465,000 domestic and 280,000 international passengers as families across Aotearoa embark on winter trips.

To address this increased demand, Air New Zealand has added approximately 18,000 extra seats across more than 200 additional domestic flights. General Manager of Airports Kate Boyer noted that the airline's teams are ready for the travel surge.

"We'll see the school holiday rush begin this Friday, with 48,000 customers travelling across our network. The following two Fridays are shaping up to be even busier, with 49,000 customers expected each day," Boyer said.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Among domestic destinations outside major centers, Queenstown is most popular. Dunedin is also expecting a visitor increase over the weekend of July 5 due to an All Blacks match against France. More than 8,000 people are anticipated to travel through Dunedin during that weekend alone.

Australia remains a top international destination for holidaymakers from New Zealand. Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne lead in popularity among overseas locations. Singapore and Fiji complete the top five international destinations.

The school holidays coincide with a significant milestone for Air New Zealand: July marks three decades since its first Queenstown-Sydney flight in 1995—Queenstown's initial international service. The anniversary coincides with Air New Zealand strengthening its role as a leading trans-Tasman carrier by announcing an additional 130,000 seats between New Zealand and Australia from October 2025 to March 2026.

With busy airports anticipated over these weeks, Air New Zealand advises travelers to plan ahead. "We know winter weather can sometimes cause disruptions," Boyer stated. "Travel insurance is also a smart way to cover the unexpected."

The airline provided several travel tips for families including using their app for updates and managing bookings online.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

UPS has operated one of the longest direct air cargo routes in the United States since 2018, connecting Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in Kentucky with Dubai International Airport (DXB) in the United Arab Emirates.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 is the largest version of the 737 family, designed to compete with the Airbus A321neo.

Aug 2, 2025

Russian airline Aeroflot reported significant flight disruptions on Monday, July 28, due to a failure in its information systems.

Aug 2, 2025

After more than four years, American Airlines will reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) route starting October 6.

Aug 2, 2025

The Airbus A321XLR, which entered service in late 2024, is now the longest-range narrowbody aircraft available.

Aug 2, 2025

The Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 are the only commercial jetliners with a partial or full second passenger deck, and both have left a significant mark on aviation history.

Aug 2, 2025