American Express Survey Shows Steady Rise In NZ Airfare Prices
Auckland, September 27, 2000 – Airfares for travellers from New Zealand are continuing to rise steadily, according to
the latest American Express Airfare Index.
Airfare prices are being hit by rising fuel costs, and the impact of a decline in the value of the New Zealand dollar
against the United States Currency, American Express said.
Full economy airfares rose just 0.1% in the September quarter, but are up 5.2 % for the year, the AMEX Airfare Index
showed. Business class fares for New Zealanders rose 0.3% for the quarter and 4.6% for the year, while First Class fares
rose 0.3% for the quarter and 2.7% for the year.
Eric Meierhans, Director, American Express Consulting Services Group, said the international price of oil continued to
be volatile, and this was impacting on the cost of flying.
“We have been witnessing high oil prices for some time now - the figure still remains above US$25 per barrel, with
regular rises exceeding US$30. This obviously impacts the cost of doing business for airlines, and they are passing that
cost through to their customers.
The rise in airfare prices for New Zealanders was broadly in line with the price increases in the rest of the Asia
Pacific Region, although the pace of increase in New Zealand did appear to be slowing.
INDIVIDUAL MARKET RESULTS
New Zealand
Inflation: 2.0% 21 City-Pairs, 14 First Class fares, 20 Business Class fares Qtr-over-Qtr Year-over-Year
FARE DESCRIPTION Q3’99 Q4’99 Q1’00 Q2’00 Q3’00 Q3’00/Q2’00 3’00/Q3’99
First Class 100.0 100.0 101.1 102.3 102.7 0.3% 2.7%
Business Class 100.0 100.0 100.5 104.2 104.6 0.3% 4.6%
Full Economy 100.0 100.0 100.0 105.0 105.2 0.1% 5.2%
Discount Economy 100.0 100.0 100.0 104.6 104.8 0.2% 4.8%
Lowest Peak-Season Excursion 100.0 100.0 100.0 101.4 101.6 0.2% 1.6%
Lowest Off-Season Excursion 100.0 100.0 100.0 101.3 101.6 0.3% 1.6%
Australia – Increases occurred across all airfare classes in Australia over the last quarter, with Full Economy
increasing 5.2% on all routes, Discount economy increasing overall by 5.3% and Business Class increasing 5.5%. Much of
this increase was due to the introduction of a GST on Australian domestic routes from July 1 2000.
Hong Kong – During the third quarter, First Class airfares from Hong Kong increased 1.4%, Business Class increased 1.1%
and Full Economy increased 0.7%. Over the past year, First and Business Class airfares have both increased 5%.
Japan – First, Business, Full and Discount Economy airfares all increased 1.8% in the third quarter. In spite of this
increase, airfares from Japan have generally risen by less than many other countries in the past year.
Singapore – First and Business Class airfares from Singapore increased 1.3% in the third quarter. Over the past year
these premium airfares have risen 6.6% and 8.7%.
Thailand – Full Economy airfares from Thailand increased 2.9% during the quarter and Discount Economy increased 3.2%.
Airfares from Thailand have now increased 8.2% in all classes over the past year.
Taiwan – Airfares from Taiwan all increased half a per cent during the quarter.
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Pakistan – Airfares in all classes from these countries were mostly
increased by a small percentage during the third quarter. This result follows substantial airfare increases from all
these countries in the second quarter.
About the Index
The American Express Asia Pacific Airfare Index is published every quarter as a guide to airfare changes and trends in
the Asia Pacific region. It is produced exclusively for American Express by Access Economics. The Index surveys 947
published airfares across 165 city-pairs throughout Asia Pacific, available for purchase on the first day of the
quarter.
As well as providing critical analysis of airfare trends in the region, the Airfare Index assists organisations to
measure and keep track of their performance in terms of business travel expense management.
Each edition of the Airfare Index measures data across six fare categories including First Class, Business Class, Full
Economy, Discount Economy, Lowest Peak-Season Excursion and Lowest Off-Season Excursion. The countries covered by the
Index are Australia, Hong Kong SAR China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan
and Thailand.
Class Definitions
First Class – The lowest, generally unrestricted first class fare valid for simple itineraries eg a city-pair return
trip.
Business Class – The lowest, generally unrestricted intermediate-class fare valid for simple itineraries.
Full Economy – The lowest, generally unrestricted economy class fare valid for simple itineraries.
Discount Economy – The lowest economy fare available to the business traveller. Seats may be limited and an advance
purchase of up to seven days may be required. No minimum stay requirement. A cancellation penalty may apply.
Lowest Peak-Season / Off-Season Excursion – The lowest most restrictive fare valid during peak or low season,
respectively. Fares may require advance purchase, minimum stay, round trip purchase and may carry significant change /
refund penalties. (Peak and low seasons vary between carriers and countries).
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American Express Corporate Services, which includes the American Express Corporate Card, and Corporate Travel Services,
assists companies in managing and controlling their business travel and entertainment expenses. It is a unit of American
Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express Company – a diversified
worldwide travel and financial services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travellers
Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Reynolds
Public & Corporate Affairs
American Express
025 2073303