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Air New Zealand prepares for increased passenger numbers during school holidays

Air New Zealand prepares for increased passenger numbers during school holidays
Policy
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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.

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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.

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