Air NZ bookings surge as Auckland lockdown lifts

Air New Zealand has reported a significant boost in traffic on its website after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday Auckland will soon be moving out of lockdown. Auckland has remained in strict lockdown since August, only seeing few restrictions ease due to high COVID-19 cases, but now is gearing up for reinstated freedoms. At a press conference on Wednesday, Prime Minister Ardern said from 15 December, people can travel out of Auckland who have been fully vaccinated or have received a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before departure. Amid the announcement, the Auckland-based carrier said its website traffic jumped by 250%, seeing its peak at 1:15pm. “It’s no surprise that Kiwis are looking forward to a summer holiday with their friends and whānau, but we’ve been blown away by the demand,” said chief customer and sales officer at Air NZ, Leanne Geraghty. “We’ve had tens of thousands of bookings across the 20 destinations we fly to as Kiwis take advantage of the relaxed levels. We’re seeing huge demand out of Auckland – as Aucklanders look to reconnect with family and friends after an extended lockdown.”<br/>