Media Releases - 2003

Wanaka is set to reap significant benefits from Air New Zealand's decision to invest further in the Queenstown Lakes district by commencing daily Christchurch to Wanaka return flights from 19th March next year.

Following on from the launch of Air New Zealand's new four-year strategy for its core airline business, the company has today announced as part of that strategy, the management team that will be responsible for the day to day operation of the business and who will report to the senior executive team.

The chief executives of the Star Alliance today announced Star Alliance Visit Japan Campaign 2004, developed in support of the "Yokoso Japan" (Welcome to Japan) campaign introduced recently by the Japanese government to increase tourism from overseas.

Air New Zealand today announced that it would be closely examining the New Zealand Commerce Commission's decision before deciding whether to file an appeal with the High Court.

The following is the address by the Chairman of Air New Zealand, John Palmer, to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting held today in Auckland:

Air New Zealand's Annual Shareholders' Meeting will be held at 2pm on October 22, 2003.

A few hours ago, on the other side of the world, Air New Zealand CEO Ralph Norris officially took delivery of the first of the airline's A320 aircraft from Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer, Noël Forgeard, at a special ceremony held at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.

Further to the media release sent this morning, please find attached two photos from the delivery ceremony of Air New Zealand's first Airbus A320 aircraft held in Toulouse, France this morning (NZ time).

A team of Air New Zealand pilots, cabin crew and engineers left late last week for the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France where they will undertake the final preparations for the delivery of the airline's first new A320 aircraft. The aircraft will be handed over at a special ceremony in Toulouse on 15 September.

Air New Zealand today announced a profit of $220.3 million before unusuals and tax for the year ended June 30, 2003, up $187.3 million (567 percent) on the previous financial year.

New Zealand's tourism industry will receive a large boost from an alliance between Air New Zealand and Qantas, the Commerce Commission hearing was told today.

Air New Zealand's new Tasman Express service is a record breaker.

The following statement has been made to the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.

Out of the factory and into the skies!

Statement made by Ralph Norris, Managing Director & CEO Air New Zealand Limited.

Air New Zealand Managing Director and Chief Executive Ralph Norris today announced the appointment of Vanessa Stoddart as the company's new Senior Vice President Human Resources and Organisational Change.

Air New Zealand announced today that the continued low level of bookings on the Hong Kong route has resulted in the airline making further adjustments to its Auckland-Hong Kong services for May and June 2003.

Air New Zealand announced today that the continued softening of forward bookings on some international routes due to the effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has resulted in the airline making further cancellations of some services for May and June, in addition to those previously announced. These changes, along with those announced 31 March, represent a 7% reduction in total available capacity across the airline's international network (as measured in available seats per kilometre).

Air New Zealand is today responding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) travel advisory issued over the weekend. The airline will take all steps to ensure that it follows the precautionary world-wide directives outlined in order to avoid further spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Air New Zealand has reported a Net profit after Tax of $94 million for the six months ending 31 December 2002.

Air New Zealand has announced the suspension of its direct flights from Sydney to Los Angeles effective after the last flight on 27 April. This move will enable Air New Zealand to focus on operating its increased Auckland - Los Angeles services from 14 to 17 per week as from April 2003, as announced last month.

Air New Zealand will expand its current code share relationship with Air Canada as from 23 January, to include seating on Air Canada flights from Los Angeles to Calgary and Montreal, as well as the airline's services operating to Vancouver and Toronto from Los Angeles.