Hefty Discounts Available on Air Fares to the South Pacific

Travelers heading to the South Pacific can take advantage of several air-fare discounts.

Air New Zealand, in conjunction with Mount Cook Airlines and Australian Airlines, is offering a new “Downunder Air Pass” through 1992 that provides discounts of up to 60% off economy-class flights within New Zealand and Australia.

To be eligible for the discounts, travelers must fly round trip on Air New Zealand from the United States to New Zealand or Australia, and buy the air pass when they pay for the transpacific flights. However, actual reservations for the flights within the two countries can be made once travelers arrive in either country. Tickets for at least two one-way flights within Australia and New Zealand must be purchased.

As an added bonus, pass holders are entitled to a free one-way flight between the two countries.

Air New Zealand also offers an “Explore New Zealand Airpass” for flights within New Zealand to any destination served by it or Mount Cook Airlines. Travelers can buy 3 to 8 coupons for one-way travel. Three coupons cost $220; four, $288; five, $358; six, $410; seven, $468, and eight, $505. The pass must be bought in the United States, in conjunction with flights to New Zealand on Air New Zealand.

Another option is Mount Cook Airlines’ “Kiwi Air Pass” for $559. It allows unlimited flights in New Zealand for a 30-day period through Sept. 30. This pass also must be bought in the United States, but travelers can fly to New Zealand on any airline.

Within Australia, Australian Airlines offers “Blue Roo” fares, which provide savings of up to 55% off regular one-way fares on such major routes as Sydney to Cairns, Adelaide or Perth. Travelers must fly to at least two destinations. Also available is the “Australian Air Pass,” which has three versions depending on the number of one-way flight coupons bought. Discounts are 25% off with the purchase of two coupons; 35% for three to five coupons, and 40% for five or more coupons. The advantage of the air pass over the Blue Roo fares is that it covers all of the domestic routes flown by Australian Airlines.

East-West Airlines offers three 21-day passes within Australia. The System Wide pass, for about $585, covers flights to all of its routes in Australia; the Sun Air pass, for about $505, starts in either Sydney, Brisbane or Cairns, and includes all three cities plus Ayers Rock, and the Queensland Pass, for about $375, begins in either Sydney or Cairns and includes two stopovers--in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Hamilton.

Ansett Airlines offers a “Down Under Discount Deal” within Australia and New Zealand, with as much as 60% savings over regular one-way economy fares depending on the specific flights. The “Explore Australia” pass, good on both Ansett and East-West, offers a 35% discount with the purchase of three to seven one-way coupons and a 40% discount for buying eight or more coupons. The “See Australia” discount, also good on both carriers, offers a 25% discount off regular rates.

Also in the South Pacific, Fiji Air is continuing its “Fiji Islands Pass.” The pass, valid for 30 days from the date of the first flight and costing about $125, includes flights to and from the resort islands of Taveuni, Kadavu, Vanua Levu and Ovalau. Flights to each island originate from Suva on Viti Levu. The pass must be purchased in Fiji.

Contact travel agents or Air New Zealand at (800) 262-1234, Mount Cook Airlines at (800) 342-1956, Australian Airlines at (800) 922-5122, East-West Airlines at (800) 354-7471, Ansett at (800) 366-1300 and Fiji Air at (415) 777-2760.