irport Times Keeping the Auckland Airport community informed | Issue 86 June 2009 | ISSN1176-9432 Reaching out Inside this issue: • How the airport is connecting New Zealand with the world • Brisbane takes on Auckland Airport • Eight reasons why you should shop at the airport “We have a huge role to play in growing tourism, providing Strengthening more choice for travellers and stimulating demand,” says chief executive Simon Moutter. “Every hour, 2,000 travellers pass through Auckland Airport, making it an integral cog our connections in the wheel of the New Zealand tourism industry.” Leading the charge is GM of aeronautical business to the world development, Glenn Wedlock, and he says there are Auckland Airport is strengthening its commitment exciting prospects for everyone on the target routes. to tourism by teaming up with the industry to increase traveller numbers and increase flights “Auckland Airport is looking for win- to new and existing destinations. win opportunities with airline trade and For the first time ever, Auckland Airport is directly investing tourism customers to promote travel to with industry partners to generate multi-million dollar travel campaigns and help build traffic. New Zealand via Auckland,” he says. With tougher global economic conditions and volatile “The Asia-Pacific region is forecast to grow the fastest fuel prices affecting passenger and airfreight demand, over the next 19 years and Auckland Airport is committed Auckland Airport sees it is critical to put more focus to capturing a share of that growth. We can also see on business development, partner support and promising opportunities in Europe and the Americas.” working on new growth strategies to help expand this important industry. The airport at TRENZ! 8-11 June 2009 This month the airport will be at TRENZ, New Zealand’s largest international tourism business event, to discuss promotional activity funding with travel trade partners. The focus of the discussions will be on supporting more air services to Auckland. Auckland Airport is a platinum sponsor of TRENZ, sponsoring one of the event’s business lounges. Simon Moutter will be speaking to all TRENZ delegates at a lunchtime event and the airport will be unveiling some exciting news at a media breakfast. Right: The Jetstar crew welcome the new domestic More choice routes with open arms. for thrifty travellers Budget Australian airline Jetstar takes the reins from its parent company Qantas on the main trunk routes in New Zealand this month, and says it won’t be beaten on price. Jetstar will begin its domestic services on 10 June and will offer one-way domestic prices for as little as $29. “Jetstar’s expansion into routes “We’ll beat any fare by Jetstar is a value-based, low-fares within New Zealand is a further significant growth milestone to 10%; we won’t be airline with an open, fresh approach become the Asia-Pacific region’s to air travel. Its mission is to enable undercut on price. I make leading low-fares airline,” says more people to fly more often and also Jetstar’s CEO Bruce Buchanan. this commitment to the to extend air travel to those who have previously never been able to afford Bruce also commented that Jetstar’s New Zealand market.” entry into New Zealand’s domestic to fly by offering customers all-day, Jetstar launched its Auckland everyday low fares. market would result in up to 250 direct new jobs. trans-Tasman flights in April with Replacing existing Qantas flights and daily services to Sydney (SYD) and reintroducing some services with a The launch is good news for the the Gold Coast (Coolangatta OOL), new, modern A320 fleet, Jetstar will budget-conscious domestic traveller. opening up the options on these provide travellers with more options Jetstar’s Price Beat Guarantee hugely popular routes for leisure and tighten up an already competitive means it will beat other competitors’ travellers. domestic market. fares by 10% for any bookings at a similar date or time. 02 Airport Times Left: The India inbound market is Growing new markets – look out India particularly attractive for New Zealand. As part of the airport’s drive In particular, the potential of the to grow new business, Glenn India market is clear – and the Wedlock (GM aeronautical India inbound market is particularly business development) recently attractive for New Zealand because attended an international route much of their leisure travel is during conference in India, and met our off-peak. with a wide range of airlines and tourism and trade stakeholders In these tough times, during his visit. airline business models We asked Glenn to tell us what need to adapt and look he learned: for new opportunities. “Despite the economic It means that all routes and markets, crisis, the mood was including New Zealand, are being analysed for their potential. not all gloom and doom; Each new route developed into in fact, there is a lot of New Zealand brings a massive confidence about the economic benefit to the country so the pay-off is enormous if we can long-term prospects seize these opportunities. for tourism, and there Now more than ever, we need to At the Routes Asia Conference, was interest in the engage with new markets and think Auckland Airport scooped the of new and creative ways of engaging Highly Commended Award for New Zealand proposition. with our traditional markets.” its efforts in airport marketing in the Asia-Pacific region. The awards are the most prestigious in the industry; based purely on rewarding excellence in route development and nominated by airlines. Indian visitors up by 20.7% In March 2009 there was a 20.7% increase in passenger arrivals from India, compared to the same time last year. This was a direct result of the Indian Cricket tour. (Sourced from Statistics New Zealand.) Conferences, meetings, team Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae building, school programmes, overnight stays – the A uniquely Kiwi function venue Auckland Airport Marae is the perfect space for your next event. The beautifully carved Marae is available for all to share our Maori culture. • Wharenui: Sleeps 60 people comfortably; tables, chairs, audio visual equipment. • Wharekai: Caters for 80 people; seated meals. • Location: Uenuku Way, off Tom Pearce Drive; plenty of parking. T: + 64 9 256 8148 E: [email protected] www.airportmarae.co.nz Airport Times 03 Right: “We thoroughly enjoyed the chance Auckland Airport’s to meet our Aussie friends on the Scott White shows The battle of his hidden talent field and now have a closer bond with on the soccer field. the airports Brisbane Airport.” Trans-Tasman sporting rivalry hit The first game saw a high last month when Auckland Brisbane Airport cross Airport took on Brisbane Airport in a two-game soccer series. the ditch to take on Brisbane Airport first challenged Auckland Airport’s football their Auckland counterparts to stars at Aorere College a friendly sporting showdown in January and it quickly developed in Mangere. Home into the sporting match-up of the advantage didn’t seem to year, complete with team uniforms and a shield for the winning team! help the Auckland Airport Auckland Airport’s team captain team, who lost 4–1. Paul Divers says, “This was a The result from the second game, fantastic opportunity to develop held in Brisbane late last month, was a stronger relationship with not known when Airport Times went another airport. to print. Right: The students were not green to sustainable ideas... solar panels was one of the ideas on the their brainstorm list. [email protected] Far right: Miss Piggy took out the best dressed award “Their ideas ranged across the on Pacific Blue’s Generation Y whole spectrum of sustainable Flight of the Divas business practice – from despite some stiff competition from take on airport improving energy and water other travellers. efficiency, to interior green walls, sustainability paperless ticketing, expediting passengers through the airport, The airport’s sustainable thereby reducing the load on business practices were air-conditioning systems, through recently put under the to strategies around staff and microscope by Auckland community engagement. University of Technology students studying for their Masters of Professional “I was really impressed; Business Studies, and they if this class is ‘Smile high’ club found few blemishes in the representative of the green plan. The International Comedy Festival Auckland Airport’s sustainability next generation of took to the skies last month as advisor Martin Fryer presented business leaders, Pacific Blue paid homage to the the airport’s sustainability journey annual event with a special ‘Flight and the students were then asked then sustainability will of the Divas’. to review the company’s plan be a key business driver The comedy-themed flight saw and provide a two-page ‘pitch’ in the way companies travellers mixing with comedic of good ideas. talent, MORE FM prizewinners and This is taking peer review to a will operate.” media who all enjoyed pre-flight new level and Martin says it was entertainment from comedians a fascinating exercise. Michelle A’Court, Penny Ashton and Justine Smith. “It was a truly The radio station prizewinners, who international group had each won their seat on the flight through a MORE FM competition, of students from were encouraged to dress up for the New Zealand, Europe flight with the best-dressed ‘diva’ winning a trip to Melbourne to see and Asia and they the live filming of comedy show Rove. had definitely done Unfortunately the weather had the their homework. last laugh and the flight never left the ground, but with the champagne and jokes flowing, everyone had a good time. 04 Airport Times Left: Inspector Mick Woods, (right), Behind the scenes..