Qantas would implement a multi-million dollar investment in its New Zealand domestic product from November 2007 as the carrier announced today (9 October). Qantas Regional General Manager New Zealand Grant Lilly said the product enhancements being introduced over the coming months would see a more targeted focus on the business traveller.

With these changes, which will be implemented progressively from next month, Qantas will bring its Cityflyer brand to the New Zealand market. Cityflyer is being tailored for the specific needs of our New Zealand business travellers, and will operate on the major business routes of Auckland-Wellington, Auckland-Christchurch and Wellington-Christchurch.

Mr Lilly said the enhancements being offered under Cityflyer would include:

• new options to make the airport process faster and easier - online check-in and Qantas QuickCheck self-serve kiosks;
  
• complimentary morning newspapers


• a free bar service from 4pm on weekdays


• an enhanced food offering

Mr Lilly said that in addition to the Cityflyer enhancements, Qantas would also:

• invest $3 million to upgrade its domestic Qantas Club lounges in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, including new fittings and furnishings, with work to be completed by April 2008


• progressively refresh the cabins on its B737 domestic fleet, introducing new seat fabrics, curtains and carpets specially designed by world renowned industrial designer and Qantas Creative Director Marc Newson


• introduce a fifth aircraft to the New Zealand domestic fleet in 2008, taking the fleet to five B737s

Mr Lilly said the additional aircraft would enable Qantas to reintroduce services between Christchurch and Wellington, providing greater schedule flexibility and reliability and allowing Qantas to improve its on-time performance.

He said New Zealand passengers could expect a greatly enhanced travel experience when flying Qantas.

The move to online check-in being introduced next month will allow domestic passengers to check-in for their flight via the internet at qantas.co.nz before travelling to the airport. The service allows customers to check-in for same day return flights, choose their preferred seat and print their own boarding passes before heading to the airport and makes moving through the airport a much faster process.

Using online check-in, customers who are travelling with only carry-on baggage can head straight to their departure gate, while passengers with baggage to check-in need simply stop at one of our bag drop counters before going to their boarding gate, he said.

Mr Lilly said Qantas QuickCheck self-service kiosks would be installed at Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington domestic terminals by February 2008.

QuickCheck allows passengers to check-in for flights, select their seat and print their own boarding pass in under 60 seconds. Passengers without baggage can then proceed straight to their departure gate, and passengers with bags to check-in simply proceed to a bag drop counter. The changes reinforce Qantas` commitment to the New Zealand market.