Air New Zealand Boosts Capacity To Support CHOGM Delegates Travelling To Samoa

Air New Zealand has increased its capacity to Samoa by nearly a third to carry delegates from around the world to the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Between 14 and 31 October, Air New Zealand will operate 25 return flights to Apia, the Samoan capital. The increased capacity represents a 29 percent boost compared with typical operations over the period to meet heightened demand and support Samoa’s hosting of CHOGM.

Air New Zealand has also swapped narrowbody Airbus aircraft with widebody Boeing aircraft to increase capacity on the route, adding additional seats and more options for customers to book premium cabins. As a result, premium capacity for the period has increased by 88 percent.

Already, more than 9,000 customers are booked to travel during this period, with at least half of the demand related to CHOGM. The airline has seen unprecedented demand, with a record 1,800 bookings to Samoa in the space of a week.

Air New Zealand Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Kiri Hannafin says the increase in capacity is part of the airline’s commitment to support its close Pacific Island neighbour, Samoa.

“With increased capacity, we are aiming to facilitate the smooth transportation of CHOGM attendees and other customers during this significant event.

“Passengers from over 50 nations will be travelling with us, including representatives from 26 Commonwealth countries. Increasing our services to Apia for CHOGM not only helps to facilitate the event, but it also aligns with Air New Zealand's longstanding commitment to support Samoa’s connections to the world.

“To further support the increased volume of travel, more than 20 Air New Zealand ground staff from airports across Aotearoa will head to Samoa to strengthen operations.

“We’re pleased to be able to play a small role by carrying attendees to CHOGM and look forward to seeing Samoa host a successful event.”

With larger aircraft flying to Samoa, Air New Zealand has also increased its ability to meet heightened cargo demand for the period.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 8.7 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2023, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – the 9th year in a row.

Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Frameworkhelps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn AirpointsDollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.

About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.

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