Earthquakes hit Air New Zealand long-haul numbers; short-haul yields remain weak

Air New Zealand stated the Christchurch and Japan earthquakes significantly hit its long-haul passenger numbers in May-2011, as has been the case in the preceding few months. While the carrier's long-haul business is struggling, it continues to grow traffic in the domestic and short-haul international market. Short-haul yields were weaker in May-2011, compared with 2009 and 2008, due partly to the carrier's new "seats to suit" product, while long-haul and group-wide yields have now increased on a year-on-year basis and are above 2009 levels.