Air New Zealand toasts 10th anniversary in Canada

Air New Zealand marked its tenth anniversary of service between Canada and New Zealand with a reception in the stylish surroundings of the Globe & Mail Centre’s event space yesterday evening (Nov. 9).

Maureen Kam, country manager, Canada for Air New Zealand, told assembled guests that the airline had much to celebrate, with New Zealand having witnessed a 19 per cent increase year on year in travel from Canada; around 66,000 Canadians, she said, made the journey to New Zealand in the year to June.

Daniel Mellsop, New Zealand’s high commissioner to Canada, also hailed the airline’s progress, praising its commitment to continuous innovation, its young fleet and outstanding financial performance. The airline’s qualities, he said, were attributes that could also be used to describe New Zealand as a whole.

With tourism flourishing between New Zealand and Canada, Mellsop paid tribute to the rapidly-expanding bilateral relationship between the two countries – noting that Canada is now one of the largest investors in New Zealand.

Liz Frazier, regional general manager of the Americas for Air New Zealand, told PAX that having reached its ten-year milestone in Canada, the airline was looking ahead with optimism. “We are excited to kick off 2018 with an increase in operation by nearly 20 per cent from January to July next year,” she commented.

“This increase in flights amounts to an extra 15,600 seats, and gives passengers greater flexibility when travelling – making it easier than ever for Canadians to escape the cold.”

The Canadian market, she said, remained integral to the outlook for tourism to New Zealand, with its recently-launched global brand campaign ‘A Better Way to Fly’ (featuring the voice talents of New Zealand actor Sam Neill) debuting in British Columbia and Ontario ‘because of the market’s strategic importance.’

Kam also noted the strength of the airline’s service to Australia, with same-day connections and no transfer of bags offered to eight Australian cities accessible through its Auckland hub.

Frazier, meanwhile, highlighted the airline’s award-winning performance, having received its fifth consecutive Airline of the Year award from AirlineRatings.com and recently being named Top Airline in the World by Condé Nast Traveler.

“With this recognition,” she said, “it’s easy to see why we believe we’re a better way to fly to New Zealand and Australia.”