Pacific Blue plans Cairns service

Pacific Blue is breaking Air New Zealand's monopoly on the non-stop Auckland-to-Cairns route from March, cutting fares by 13 per cent.

The twice-weekly service starts on March 23 with cheapest standard one-way fares of $349. A promotional launch fare of $249 one way runs till Tuesday.

Pacific Blue said the direct service was in response to strong demand for one-stop flights to Cairns and would help expand the market to the northern Australian city.

About 30,000 passengers travelled from New Zealand to Cairns a year.

The service would also provide competition on the route.

Air New Zealand flies three times a week to Cairns.

- © Fairfax NZ News