Pacific Blue Launches New Round of Lower Air Fares

MEDIA RELEASE

LOVE IS IN THE FARE

PACIFIC BLUE LAUNCHES A NEW ROUND OF LOWER AIR FARES

Thursday 14 February 2008: New Zealand airline Pacific Blue today unveiled a range of fares that set a new benchmark for low-priced domestic air travel within New Zealand.

The airline has launched “Mid-Week Mini-Fares” which are available for travel on selected flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Pacific Blue began domestic flights between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in November 2007 with introductory fares from $39. Since then, the airline has carried more than 250,000 Guests on its main trunk network in its first three months of flying. Inflation figures released last month showed that domestic air fares had fallen by nearly 5% since Pacific Blue brought more competition to the market.

General Manager, Commercial, Adrian Hamilton-Manns said “New Zealanders have fallen in love with our low domestic fares so we thought Valentine’s Day was a perfect time to introduce even lower fares on selected days.”

Mid-Week Mini-Fares are available for booking from today for travel from Tuesday 19 February 2008. The new fares are for travel on selected flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will be available for sale all year round at the following prices:

- Wellington to Christchurch (v.v.) from $49*

- Auckland to Wellington (v.v.) from $59*

- Auckland to Christchurch (v.v.) from $69*.

Mr Hamilton-Manns said that the introduction of the Mid-Week Mini-Fares offered Kiwis another great reason to fly with Pacific Blue and were a further example of the airline’s commitment to keeping the air fair.

“While other airlines believe that New Zealanders are happy to pay high fares if they throw in a free snack, Pacific Blue will continue to concentrate and work hard on what Kiwis really want – affordable air travel, modern aircraft, and a friendly and reliable service.” he said.

Figures from Wellington Airport show that domestic passenger numbers grew by nearly 30% in January 2008 while Christchurch Airport reported passenger volumes for December 2007 rose by 11%. Both airports cited the introduction of Pacific Blue domestic flights as a key factor in passenger growth.

About Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, and Virgin Blue Airlines

Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, along with Australian domestic airline Virgin Blue, operate a fleet of 60 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 22 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

* All fares are one-way for flights booked on the internet, $15 more by phone. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or during peak periods.

ENDS

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