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12 February, 2021

Air New Zealand to extend international fare flexibility, as it preps for government-backed capital raise

Queenstown, New Zealand - September 1, 2014: Air New Zealand plane takes off in Queenstown International Airport in Queenstown, New Zealand. Queenstown International Airport has been voted the world's most scenic airport approach

Air New Zealand will extend fare flexibility for customers booked to travel on its international services and for those who currently have fares in credit.

Effective from Wednesday 17 February 2021, customers who hold an existing credit with the airline will now have until 30 June 2022 to make a new booking using their credit, and until 30 June 2023 to take the travel. This applies to both domestic and international credits.

Customers who book or currently hold tickets for international flights scheduled to depart up until 11:59pm on 30 June 2021 will now be able to either hold the value of their fare in credit for rebooking until 30 June 2022, or amend the date of their flight with change fees waived.

Air NZ’s chief customer and sales officer, Leanne Geraghty, said the extension of the policy means customers can rest assured their credit will remain valid for longer as circumstances continue to change.

“We’ve seen many of our customers using their credits already, and we’re hopeful Tasman and Pacific travel will be up and running over the coming months,” she said.

“For those wanting to go further afield, we recognise this may take longer, which is why we’ve extended the window for opting into credit, as well as the length of time people have to use that credit.”

The changes come as Air New Zealand prepares to complete an equity capital raise before 30 June 2021, which is being supported by the New Zealand government.

In a letter to Air New Zealand chair Dame Therese Walsh, New Zealand’s Minister of Finance, Grant Robinson, confirmed the government’s “longstanding commitment” to maintaining a majority shareholding in the airline, “given the critical role that the airline has in New Zealand’s economy and society”.

“Subject to Cabinet being satisfied with the terms of the company’s proposed equity capital raise, the Crown would participate in that capital raise in order to maintain a majority shareholding.”

Featured image source: iStock/naruedom

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