It will now cost as little as $49 to travel between Auckland and Wellington, or Wellington and Christchurch, after Air New Zealand slashed its cheapest standard fares for major domestic routes.
The airline made the announcement today as it launches an extra 6000 seats a week into the domestic market over the next year.
Air New Zealand Australasia group general manager Bruce Parton said travellers in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown would be the first to benefit from the new scheme.
It will now cost as little as $79 to travel between Auckland and Queenstown, which previously cost $99; it will also be $79 between Auckland and Dunedin, previously $93. The biggest percentage saving is between Auckland and Wellington which dropped from $69 to $49.
An Air NZ spokesman said the new prices will be in place for the long term, and will apply to between 15 and 30 per cent of seats on each flight.
The prices are for one person, one way and are for internet bookings only. They are effective for travel from September 1.
