Air NZ August numbers down

Wednesday, 01 October 2008

Air New Zealand's passenger numbers were down in August despite more seats to fill, but profits are up and the airline is looking at efficiency measures to save money.

In its monthly investor update the airline said that in August it carried 952,000 passengers, down 1.8 percent on the same month last year, while overall, year-to-date capacity grew by 2.1 percent on the comparable period last year.

Domestic passenger numbers and loads for the month were down on last August as a result of increased competition and general softening of demand , the company said.

Tasman and Pacific passenger numbers and loads were down for the same reasons.

In the long haul market, passenger loads remained relatively high at 81.9 percent despite an increase in capacity of 3.6 percent.

Group-wide yields for the year-to-date were up 7.3 percent on the comparable period last financial year.

New aircraft are on the way with the final two Q300 turbo prop aircraft expected to arrive in April and May 2009.

On its fleet of eight 777-200ER aircraft it will double the number of available Pacific Premium Economy seats (the class between economy and business) to 36 by June next year.

Meanwhile, the 767 fleet, which operates to Australia, the Pacific Islands and Honolulu, will be fitted with 3.4m winglets progressively from July next year.

By reducing the drag near the wing tip the aircraft uses less fuel, and can climb faster.

Air NZ estimated it would save more than $7.5 million and cut CO2 emissions by 16,000 tonnes annually by fitting the winglets.

The airline will also retrofit zonal dryers reduce moisture trapped in insulation between the aircraft outer skin and cabin lining.

They typically remove around 200kg of water from each aircraft, which reduces fuel consumption.

The airline has also created a standalone company with 50 staff to capture opportunities in the global aircraft interior design business.

Altitude Aerospace Interiors uses computer technology to design aircraft interiors. The business will be staffed by Air New Zealanders with expertise in the design and installation of interiors for commercial aircraft and Boeing business jets.

NZPA