Airlines have added extra flights across the Tasman to meet the demand for New Zealanders heading across the Ditch for Sunday’s Cricket World Cup final against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Black Caps defeated South Africa in Tuesday night’s semi final to confirm their participation in Sunday’s decider, prompting a rush for seats to Australia.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
PRINT
See benefits
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
MOST POPULAR
PRINT + DIGITAL
See benefits
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
DIGITAL
See benefits
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Air New Zealand said its additional flights from Auckland to Melbourne departing on Saturday and return service leaving the Victorian capital on Monday sold out in less than an hour. The airline has also added a Boeing 777-200ER charter service due to arrive on the morning of the match and return after it has concluded.
Virgin Australia has scheduled five extra return services to Melbourne – four from Auckland and one from Christchurch.
And Qantas says it has boosted capacity by more than 1,300 seats with four additional return flights operating on Saturday and Monday.
iscover
Chris
says:With all the Kiwis living and working in Oz methinks some more domestic seats NSW, QLD and WA to Melbourne and back might be prudent this weekend.
Here in NSW the cricket is a welcome distraction from the 4 yr choice of whose the biggest pork barreler and rorter. I am off to a comedy evening. Politics and Politician sketches from a Canadian’s perspective.
John Grier
says:that’s great but charters or extra flights only work if can fill them both ways or passengers are prepared to pay for empty seats in one direction.
Other complication is crewing.
Luckily March is relatively quiet, so airlines may have a spare aircraft or 2, sitting around.