Coronavirus: Air NZ distances itself from proposal to launch trans-Tasman flights on July 1

Air NZ has poured cold water on a proposal to launch trans-Tasman passenger flights on July 1, saying it has no intention to operate the proposed service between Canberra and Wellington. However, Canberra Airport - which is one of the driving forces behind the proposal - insists it is "talking to all airlines" and isn't ruling out the possibility of running it as a charter service if commercial airlines weren't interested. The proposal, supported by the Australian and New Zealand chambers of commerce, sat outside the operations of the Trans-Tasman Safe Border Group, a governments' supported group which has been working on the bubble project for several weeks. Aviation insiders are sceptical about the potential demand for such a service, after Singapore Airlines ditched its 'capital connection' service after just 19 months, instead replacing it with a Wellington-Melbourne service. Auckland Business Chamber CE Michael Barnett said the new initiative would be put before both governments within a day "to help the survival, recovery and sustainability of our vital tourism, export, event and travel sector," Barnett said. Canberra Airport is inviting expressions of interest for the first flights on July 1 and 2, coinciding with the start of the Australian Capital Territory's school holidays. More than 300 people had registered within two hours of the page going live on the airport's website. Canberra Airport hoped Air NZ or Qantas might pick up the proposed service by then, the dates could be pushed back if it doesn't receive approval from both governments in time. An Air NZ spokeswoman said the airline "does not intend to operate" the Wellington-Canberra route, with the national carrier saying it was continuing to work with the Safe Border Group to re-start trans-Tasman passenger flights.<br/>