Media release
17 December 2012
Air New Zealand Assists Passengers Affected By Cyclone Evan
Air New Zealand has put a number of measures in place to assist both Samoan locals and tourists affected by Cyclone Evan
over the weekend.
The airline put additional capacity into Samoa on Friday night (14 December), operating an extra Auckland to Apia return
flight utilising a Boeing 767 aircraft to accommodate extra passengers and cargo. It also took the step of putting some
special $199 Grabaseat fares into the market on Friday afternoon for that evening’s flight.
Baggage allowance rules have been relaxed to allow all adult and child passengers booked to travel from Auckland to Apia
between today and Sunday 30 December to take one extra piece of checked luggage, up to 23 kgs, free of charge.
As cargo space from Auckland to Apia is heavily committed with essential food and welfare items between now and
Christmas, there are two different processes for passengers wanting to take advantage of this offer, depending on the
date of travel, as follows:
Passengers travelling between 17 and 24 December - these passengers will not be able to take their free additional piece with them on the day they travel. They will need
to arrange for a friend or relative to take the item and a copy of their E-Ticket to Auckland International Cargo
between 25 and 30 December inclusive where it will be accepted to travel free of charge as unaccompanied baggage.
Passengers will need to uplift their unaccompanied baggage from Apia Cargo when it arrives.
Passengers travelling between 25 and 30 December inclusive - these passengers must take their additional piece with them to the Auckland check-in counter where it will
be accepted free of charge as excess baggage. Please note that this excess baggage can still be subject to aircraft
space and weight capacity and may not necessarily travel on the same flight as the passenger. In the event this occurs, passengers will need to uplift their
baggage from Apia Airport when it arrives.
Meanwhile, as the cyclone tracks across Fiji, this morning’s Auckland to Nadi return service has been delayed until
tomorrow and will also be scaled up to a 767 service to accommodate additional passengers and cargo. Air New Zealand
will continue to assess the impact of today’s weather on Fiji and whether any further measures are required.
Air New Zealand is offering increased ticket flexibility for passengers wanting to delay or bring forward their travel
between Auckland and Apia or Nadi in either direction, if changes are made on or prior to 24 December. Passengers
wanting to change flights should contact their travel agent or Air New Zealand on 0800 737 000.
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ENDS