Air New Zealand says it will not increase its fares between Queenstown and Christchurch when it regains the monopoly on the route following Jetstar's departure in mid-November.
Asked by the Otago Daily Times yesterday if it planned to raise ticket prices, the airline said: "We have no current intention to make any changes as a result of Jetstar's exit from the Christchurch-Queenstown route."
Asked for Air New Zealand's reaction to the what Jetstar calls a "suspension" and if it planned to boost its own capacity or frequency in response, Air NZ spokeswoman Brigitte Ransom, of Auckland, said the airline "worked hard to maintain services to and from Christchurch as the city works to rebuild.
"We currently operate 35 services per week between Christchurch and Queenstown.
"This competitor reduction in capacity is relatively small by comparison and accordingly we have no current plans to make changes."
Jetstar, a Qantas subsidiary, announced on September 19 its five weekly flights between Christchurch and Queenstown would be "suspended" from November 14 because of a lack of patronage.
Chief executive David Hall, of Melbourne, said at the time that because of direct access to Queenstown and the new Wellington service, customers found it easier to fly to the resort directly rather than going via Christchurch.
However, many Wakatipu residents have become accustomed to low fares and the speed of travelling to Christchurch to visit family and friends, attend events or conduct business since Jetstar started the service in 2009.
Total passenger movements for both airlines between Queenstown and Christchurch for the 12 months to August 31 this year were 140,167, the Queenstown Airport Corporation said yesterday. The figure was down from 148,997 for the previous 12 months.
Queenstown law firm Mactodd partner Richard Cunliffe said work required him to travel to Christchurch, although not as frequently since the earthquakes.
Lawyers still found it more efficient to hold fixtures in the city, with cheap flights available, rather than drive to Dunedin, Timaru or Invercargill.
"It's disappointing that we really will only have one choice and I suspect we'll be paying considerably more to get up to Christchurch by Air New Zealand than we have been able to do with Jetstar," Mr Cunliffe said.
"I know there are other people who commute and I'm sure it will be a concern for them as well."
Jetstar offered a basic seat on its single Queenstown-Christchurch flight next Tuesday for $49 and $59 for a basic seat on a return flight the following day, according to its website yesterday.
Air New Zealand offered basic seats starting from $69 for the flight late on Tuesday, but Queenstown passengers who needed to start the working day in Christchurch would have to pay $239 and between $79 and $239 to return the next day, its website said at the same time.
