Air New Zealand Gears Up for a Busy Festive Season, Expecting Nearly 3 Million Passengers

Air New Zealand is preparing for a busy holiday season, expecting to welcome nearly three million passengers across its network from now through the end of January.

With the festive season fast approaching, the airline is making final arrangements to help families and friends reunite, both within New Zealand and around the globe.

The airline's busiest day is expected to be Friday, December 27, when more than 50,000 customers will take off to destinations across New Zealand and internationally.

Top Domestic and International Destinations

This summer, New Zealanders will be flocking to holiday hotspots across the country. The most popular domestic destination outside the main cities is Queenstown, with around 250,000 passengers expected to fly to and from the resort town during December and January. Other popular domestic locations include Nelson (155,000 customers), Dunedin, and Napier, which are set to receive over 120,000 travellers each.

When it comes to international travel, Australia tops the list, with more than 450,000 passengers booked to travel to Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Air New Zealand is also expanding its offerings this holiday season, with Bali being added to its international network for the first time. Over 12,000 New Zealanders are expected to visit the Indonesian island paradise.

Meanwhile, long-haul destinations like Los Angeles and Tokyo continue to be in high demand. More than 50,000 people are expected to travel to and from Los Angeles, while nearly 50,000 will be flying to Tokyo, marking a 20% increase in bookings compared to last year.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Holiday Journey

Other helpful travel tips include: