New regional discounts for frequent flyers

Air New Zealand is to launch a discount scheme for frequent-flying regional customers, although only people buying more than five return flights a year will benefit

The Starfish Card will have two 12-month discount options for sale from late August – a 15 per cent discount for $200 or a 30 per cent discount for $800

The discount cards will be on sale for only two months, with the first 12 months set as a trial

The discounts will apply to any Air NZ flight, including Grabaseat, to or from regional airports outside Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch and Queenstown

The discounts will be deducted when flights are booked online

Air NZ Australasia group manager Bruce Parton said the Starfish Card had been created after regional flyers lobbied the airline for cheaper fares to and from the provinces

Anyone spending more than $1400 a year would benefit from the 15 per cent discount card, while the 30 per cent card would be "ideal" for anyone spending more than $4000 a year, he said

It would take about 20 flights at an average of $130 a fare for a passenger to make their money back on the 30 per cent discount, while it would take 10 flights to make their money back on the 15 per cent discount

One Marlborough customer would save about $8000 by joining the 30 per cent discount, Mr Parton said

Blenheim Airport Marlborough is talking with airlines about increasing its landing fees, which are $60 for a Beechcraft 1900D. It is possible that this will be passed on to passengers, which could affect the discounts. Want to find out more about digital printing Melbourne?

"The Starfish Card will appeal to the tens of thousands of customers who travel frequently to and from regional New Zealand," Mr Parton said. "Small to medium businesses will find this card particularly attractive."

Air NZ expected an increase in demand for the regional services as a result of the scheme, he said