Air New Zealand has successfully operated the first evening flight into Queenstown in preparation for scheduled commercial services commencing next month.

Saturday's proving flight was the first of several planned over the coming weeks ahead of the first commercial evening service on 23 May.

From this date the airline will operate a partial evening schedule between Auckland and Queenstown with the last flight arriving in Queenstown at 6.15pm before departing for Auckland at 6.50pm. The airline's full evening schedule will take effect from 3 July 2016 when the last departure from Queenstown will be 7.30pm and the last arrival at 9.35pm.

Air New Zealand Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan says the implementation of evening flights has involved significant collaboration across multiple stakeholders.

'We've been working hard alongside the Queenstown Airport Corporation, New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Airways New Zealand to prepare for night operations. Extensive work has been done to upgrade the runway, airfield lighting and airline procedures and training.

'It really is a milestone for New Zealand aviation and we're proud to be the first airline to offer this service to customers which is sure to bring significant benefits to the Central Otago economy through the additional flights.'

The airline has invested in the latest technology to enable it to operate evening flights in Queenstown under CAA requirements.

'Air New Zealand is the only airline that has this level of sophistication with Runway Overrun Protection System (ROPS) technology fitted onboard and demonstrates our commitment to safety. This additional technology complements the existing Head Up Display already fitted onboard our A320 aircraft,' says Captain Morgan.

The full schedule from 3 July 2016 is as follows:

Auckland - Queenstown
Departs Arrives
0710 0900
0935 1125
1015 1205
1205 1355
1435 1625
1655 1845
1935* 2135
Queenstown - Auckland
Departs Arrives
0700 0850
0935 1125
1205 1355
1240 1430
1430 1620
1705 1855
1930* 2120

* Operates Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sun.
** Schedule remains subject to change.

The full schedule will allow new and increased same day connections, as well as reduced connection times both to and from destinations across Air New Zealand's network - including Australia. The schedule will also see the airline grow capacity between Auckland and Queenstown by 15 percent in FY17 with an additional 100,000 seats.

Ends

Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs ph +64 21 747 320

Air New Zealand Limited issued this content on 01 May 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 02 May 2016 01:03:06 UTC. Original document available at http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2016-airnz-lands-historic-first-evening-flight-in-queenstown