Earning united miles on air new zealand

SYDNEY: Air New Zealand Ltd said on Friday it would boost domestic capacity to 20per cent of usual levels once the country further loosens pandemic restrictions, but it cannot offer its lowest fares due to social distancing requirements. New Zealand will decide on Monday whether to lower its alert level to 2 from 3, which would allow for the return of non-essential domestic travel as the country, which currently has relatively few COVID-19 cases, eases its lockdown. Air New Zealand said, at level 2, it would operate to majority of domestic airports, but social distancing measures meant it could sell just under 50per cent of the seats on its turboprops and 65per cent on an Airbus SE A320. "On that basis, to ensure we cover our operating costs, we won't be able to offer our lowest lead in fares until social distancing measures are removed," Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran said in a statement. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents … [Read more...] about Air New Zealand to boost capacity as virus curbs ease, but higher fares expected

WELLINGTON: Professional sport in New Zealand could welcome fans back to stadiums as early as next week with the government set to decide whether to lift all social distancing restrictions imposed to due the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will decide on Monday whether the country is ready to bring its alert system down to level 1, which would lift limits on mass gatherings that were imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. That would open the door for fans to attend the opening round matches of New Zealand's "Super Rugby Aotearoa" tournament starting on June 13, and be a coup for the domestic game which has suffered financially due to the coronavirus shutdown. "At level 1, all current rules on businesses and services are essentially lifted," Ardern said on Wednesday. "Sports and concert stadiums can be sold out." Ardern said the government was working with stadiums to create a "COVID code" to ensure contact tracing was in place in … [Read more...] about New Zealand sport set for fans boost with end to COVID-19 curbs in sight

MELBOURNE: New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have formed a committee with the country's five Super Rugby teams to review operating models and plot a way forward for the domestic game amid a shutdown in global sport brought by the coronavirus. Super Rugby, which also includes teams from Australia, South Africa, Japan and Argentina, was suspended in March after seven rounds of the season when travel curbs and border controls aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 made it untenable. As in other rugby nations, the shutdown has idled hundreds of players and staff in New Zealand and placed pressure on the finances of NZR and provincial unions. NZR said the review committee was comprised of the chairmen of the five Super Rugby sides and NZR, along with NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson and prominent sports executive Liz Dawson as a "Private Investor Representative". The committee's review called 'Aratipu', the Maori word for growth, will focus on "growing, regeneration and invigoration", … [Read more...] about New Zealand sets up committee to review Super Rugby future

WELLINGTON: Any decision on whether the Twenty20 World Cup has to be rescheduled from its October start date due to the COVID-19 pandemic will not be made until July, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board chief David White said on Thursday. The International Cricket Council will discuss contingency plans for the tournament in Australia, as well as ways of restarting the sport once the pandemic subsides, at a meeting later in the day but White said "no decisions will be made". Travel restrictions and border controls aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus have brought sport to a standstill around the world and left many events scheduled for later in the year in doubt. "Cricket Australia is working very closely with the government authorities and they are planning for it (T20 World Cup) to go ahead in October and November," White told reporters. "There's contingency planning going on and lots of discussions but no decisions will be made. "If decisions are made ... … [Read more...] about No decision on T20 World Cup before July – New Zealand chief

MELBOURNE: Melbourne Rebels prop Jermaine Ainsley has signed a two-year deal with the Otago Highlanders that will see him return home from Australia and become ineligible for selection in Dave Rennie's Wallabies squad. Ainsley, who was born in New Zealand's Otago region but earned three test caps in 2018 under former Australia coach Michael Cheika, will see out his second season with the Rebels before joining the Highlanders in 2021. "Even though Jermaine is only 24 he already has a wealth of experience with over 50 Super Rugby games and also some exposure at test level," Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger said in a statement on Monday. "The fact that he has a strong link with our region and club history makes it all the better." Tighthead Ainsley's departure robs incoming Wallabies coach Rennie of a front row option with test experience following Sekope Kepu's international retirement after the World Cup in Japan. Overseas-based players need at least 60 test caps to be … [Read more...] about Test prop Ainsley to return to New Zealand with Highlanders