Air New Zealand [NZX: AIR] is postponing the launch of its direct service to the Philippines, which was due to start in December, until further notice.
The airline says administrative delays in being able to make the new route available for sale, coupled with the traditionally longer booking window for the market, prompted the decision.
An industry source, who wishes to remain anonymous, has told NBR the bookings were well below what was expected for the non-stop direct service.
Air New Zealand, however, says bookings never opened for the service.
The first air link between the Philippines and New Zealand was launched last December by PAL (Philippines Airlines). This runs from Manila via Cairns in northern Queensland to Auckland.
The industry source says this is a popular leisure route and can justify the transtasman leg as an add on.
Initially, most of the traffic for this service is expected to be Filipinos living in New Zealand and Kiwis wanting a choice of holiday routes into Asia.
Note: Updated to correct route of PAL's Manila-Auckland service and add Air New Zealand comment on bookings.
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