New Zealand unveils bold new era in low cost air travel

Air New Zealand has slashed domestic airfares by up to 50 percent on some routes as part of the new Air New Zealand Express Class. Announcing details of the “compellingly lower” fares, Air New Zealand’s managing director and chief executive officer, Ralph Norris said the airline has responded to customer demand in delivering a range of fares which not only show dramatic discounts on current fare levels, but were strongly competitive with rail and car travel.

Average fares across the Air New Zealand domestic network will decrease by 20 percent, and by about 28 percent on main trunk routes.

These changes include:

Increased seat capacity of 737-300 jets.

The introduction of a “no-frills” in-flight service as requested by customers.

The favourable re-negotiation of aircraft leases.

A programme to reduce the airline’s cost of selling airfares, including the elimination of travel agents’ base commissions on domestic fares sold in New Zealand.

An expected stimulation of the market in terms of passenger numbers resulting from the lower fares.

Norris said the new fare levels not only make domestic air travel far more accessible to more New Zealanders, but they also make flying the most realistically priced transport option within New Zealand.

He pointed out that a family of four (two adults and two children) could all fly from Christchurch to Wellington return from NZ$272 plus levies and surcharges.

Three distinct fare categories - Smart Savers, Flexi Savers and Fully Flexi - will be introduced, each with specific fare conditions and varying levels of savings.

In all three categories, the lowest fares will only be available by booking on-line through Air New Zealand’s upgraded website (www.airnewzealand.co.nz). Norris said that this approach reflected the airline’s focus on driving fares down to the lowest possible levels by eliminating service costs.

Norris said, “For those who still want personal service, bookings can be made through our Call Centres, Air New Zealand Travel Centres, but service charges will apply. Fares can also be booked through travel agents.” Norris said the new fares will be available from November 1, 2002 and bookings can be made from July 31.

Cathay Pacific to add 5th daily flight to Hong Kong

As air traffic in Asia shows signs of recovery following the September 11 tragedy, Cathay Pacific Airways has responded by adding a 5th daily Bangkok-Hong Kong flight.

Beginning July 1, 2002, flight CX 708 and CX 709 returned to the Bangkok Hong Kong flight schedule. CX 708 departs from Bangkok at 09.30 and arrives in Hong Kong at 13.30 on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. CX709 departs from Hong Kong at 22.05 and arrives in Bangkok at 23.05 on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Yongyut Lujintanon, sales and marketing manager, Cathay Pacific Thailand and Myanmar said, “As the aviation and travel industry has gradually improved together with an increasing rate of business travelers between Bangkok and Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, Asia’s leading airway, has returned to its five-flights a week schedule. From this September, 35 Cathay Pacific flights will be scheduled per week to provide greater convenience; not to mention the best service in the industry.”

For more information please contact visit the web site www.chaypacific.com/th/offers

EVA Air sponsors Taiwanese Food Festival

EVA Airways Corporation and Green Siam Air Services Co., Ltd., its general sales agent, recently sponsored “Taiwanese Food Festival” organized by Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Bangkok. Photo shows Paul Lin, general manager of Evergreen Laurel Hotel (2nd from left) presenting one complimentary round trip ticket for Bangkok-Taipei-Bangkok on Evergreen Deluxe Class to lucky draw winner, Jaruwan Mansilapa (3rd from left). Titirat Chuenchimplee, food and beverage director at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel (4th from left) and Benjaporn Fousirisub, Evergreen Laurel Hotel PR manager witness the event.

Romantic Journeys: The Bay of Bengal’s Andaman Islands

As ancient sea tales have it, the Andaman Islands were an archipelago peopled by savages who killed outsiders. Marco Polo never stepped foot on the islands but added to the unsavory reputation. He wrote that Negritos were brutes, cannibals and had teeth like dogs. In truth, the islanders were often the frightened victims of hostile exchanges with outsiders who raided the islands for slaves. Intruders killed with weapons unknown to the natives whose primitive spears, bows and arrows were used for hunting food.

The bounty of the sea is the lifeline for Andaman islanders.

Yet, early in the 20th century a few came to champion the cause of the indigenous tribes, notably Edward Horace Man, a colonial administrator, and noted British anthropologist Reginald Radcliff-Browne. Over decades policies toward the Negritos swung back and forth from protection to assimilation. In 1950 a policy of protection was adopted toward all tribal peoples of India.

A short flight from Calcutta by air (it is also connected by flights from Delhi and Madras) is Port Blair, capital of the Andaman Islands. Though travel is restricted here, those islands open to tourism, with their lovely beaches and coral beds, are a traveler’s delight.

Nicobar is off limits to tourists in order for the Negritos to maintain their tribal way of life.

On Port Blair, the Cellular Jail and Anthropological Museum are worth a visit. Excursions can be taken by motor launch to the islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy and to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo.

Foreign tourists need a special permit to visit the Andaman Islands. This can be obtained from Indian Missions abroad or the immigration authorities in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, and Madras or on arrival at Port Blair Airport.

Foreign nationals are not allowed to visit Nicobar Islands. In order to visit Nicobar special permits may be issued under certain conditions. Let me add, the process is long and arduous!

The permit to visit Andaman is valid for Port Blair Municipal Area, Havelock Islands, Long, Neil Islands, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Rangat for a period of one month where night halt is permitted. However only a day’s visit is allowed to places like Jolly Buoy, South Cinque, Red Skin, Moun Hariet and Madhuban.

Thickly covered by lush green forest, the islands of Andaman support a profusion of wildlife and the surrounding coral islands provide a habitat of colorful tropical fish. Andaman and Nicobar are unique because the local policy has managed to keep its variety and cultural heritage in check.

The tribal Negritos do not eat visitors anymore (if indeed they ever did). But they do remain aloof and untouched from the rest of the civilized world. Exploring the natural wilderness that surrounds these islands is akin to the fabled tale of Robinson Crusoe. What could be more romantic?