PACIFIC BLUE’S INAUGURAL BRISBANE - DUNEDIN FLIGHT
TAKES TO THE SKIES
Penguins party to celebrate new Trans Tasman service
Thursday 3 September 2009, Brisbane, Australia:
A
penguin party
took place today
when Pacific Blue began flying non-stop between Brisbane and Dunedin this morning.
Celebrating Dunedin’s unique wildlife, Pacific Blue’s inaugural flight saw three human
penguins auction $2,000 worth of prizes.
Proceeds will go to the Yellow Eyed Penguin
Trust, the Dunedin based charity charged with conserving arguably the world’s rarest
penguin – the yellow eyed penguin.
During the flight Guests raced chocolate Jaffas down the aisle of the Boeing 737-800 in
honour of Dunedin’s annual Jaffa race down the world’s steepest street.
The real Jaffa
race takes place each July as part of the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival.
This year 30,000
Jaffas were raced raising AU$75,000 towards Dunedin charities.
On the inaugural flight
each Jaffa raced represented a different charity.
The winning charity, Children’s
Variety
Club, will receive NZ$500 (AU$410) from Cadbury World who run daily tours of the
chocolate factory.
Following an eventful flight, the aircraft was warmly welcomed into New Zealand by a flash
mob of penguins at Dunedin airport.
Promoted through Facebook, the two best dressed
‘penguins’ in attendance won return flights for two on the inaugural Brisbane to Dunedin
flight.
Tourism Dunedin Chief Executive, Hamish Saxton, said, “The inaugural flight, like Dunedin
itself, was fun and quirky.
We are a lively city with a big heart and look forward to
welcoming more Australians”.
Minutes from Dunedin CBD is the Otago Peninsula, the jewel in New Zealand eco-tourism.
Visitors can get up close to the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Northern
albatross, New Zealand fur seals, sea lions, fairy penguins, indigenous birdlife, hectors
dolphins and the yellow eyed penguin.
“The yellow eyed penguin can only be seen on New Zealand’s lower south east coast and
outer islands.
There are an estimated 4,000 yellow eyed penguins left in the world and
Dunedin is one of few places you can see the species in their natural environment without
putting their safety at risk,” says Saxton.
From today Pacific Blue will operate the return Brisbane to Dunedin service three times per
week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Virgin Blue Group Chief Executive Brett Godfrey said the new route has shown a positive
response in both sales and support by Aussies and Kiwis with the launch flights filled to
capacity in both directions.
“Being the second-largest city in the South Island, this direct route provides a market
opportunity to attract and satisfy both business and leisure Guests and if our initial and
forward bookings are anything to go by this service is already proving very popular with
travellers.”
Pacific Blue will operate a B737-800 between Brisbane and Dunedin increasing capacity on
the route by over 170% or 540 seats per week in each direction.
Pacific Blue’s everyday low lead-in fares start from $219^ one-way on the internet and
Guests wanting extra leg room can also book ‘Blue Zone’ exit row seating for an additional
$45 one-way per person on top of the standard fare.
Pacific Blue’s holiday program Blue Holidays offers ‘all inclusive’ deals to Dunedin including
return airfares and two nights accommodation in a standard room at
Mercure Hotel
Dunedin startingfrom $507*pp from Brisbane or:
Ex Melbourne from AUD$592**pp
Ex Sydney from AUD$598**pp
Ex Darwin from AUD$713**pp
Ex Perth from AUD$764**pp
Flight Schedules
Brisbane Dunedin Schedule: Effective 3 September 2009
Dunedin Brisbane Schedule: Effective 3 September 2009
To receive high res images contact Heather Mollins, Tourism Dunedin, on +61 (0)4 258
37 809.
^
All fares are subject to availability, are one-way on the internet or $15 more by phone. Seats are
limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. A credit/debit card fee of $5 per
person per one-way flight applies. Fares are correct as at 3 September 2009 and are subject to
change. International return fare may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges.
International flights between Australia and New Zealand are operated by Pacific Blue Airlines (NZ)
Ltd.
On sale until 30 November 2009 or until sold out for travel until 31 March 2010
.Package
price is correct as at 21 August 2009. During some periods air and hotel pricing may not be
available and surcharges may apply. Prices are subject to availability and not guaranteed
until the booking is completed and confirmed. Prices based on direct route, including taxes,
levies and other government charges which may vary and are subject to change. Seasonal
surcharges may apply. Hotel rates quoted are based on double occupancy, per room per
night, unless otherwise noted. Prices based on lead-in room, additional room types available.
Charges for extra persons and/or children may apply and will be charged directly by the
hotel. Package conditions apply. Further conditions may apply. Prices advertised are a ‘from’
price based on per person, twin share.
** Offered as a connecting flight. Domestic
connecting flights offered by Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd.
FLIGHT N0
DEP
ARR
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
DJ 64
1000
1525
FLIGHT N0
DEP
ARR
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN
DJ 65
1630
1820
Heather Mollins
Business Development Manager, Australia
Tourism Dunedin
Level 6, 117 York Street, Sydney 2000
PO Box Q1348, QVB Post Office, NSW 1230
Email:hmollins@tourismdunedin.co.nz
DDI:+61(0)2 9286 8900 /Mobile: +61(0)425837809
Skype: hmollins
Did you know Dunedin is home to the rare yellow eyed penguin? Follow Piko
the penguin on twitter to find out about life on the Otago
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