According to the New Zealand Ministry of Home Affairs (DIA), the public is advised to add a courier time at least eight weeks in advance when a new passport is needed, due to the upgrade of the passport system and the longer wait times due to increased seasonal demand.
Nearly 38,000 New Zealanders are currently waiting for their passports to be processed.
The original goal was to complete the process within 10 working days. But in April 2024, the average processing time for standard applications increased to 26 business days. The waiting time is currently more than a month.
In February, the Ministry of the Interior completed 39,000 passports. In March, there will be a "system upgrade", and the number of completions will be almost halved.
The Home Office said it was the biggest upgrade to the passport system in 10 years and would last until mid-May.
The Home Office admits that passport applicants were not adequately reminded in advance, and now, it is proposed to amend it to "8 weeks plus express delivery time".
The Home Office says May is usually the peak time for passport applications.
01 The price of domestic air tickets on New York Airlines will start tomorrow
Air New Zealand has informed travel agents that from 23 April, long-term fares will increase on all domestic routes.
In a memo, New Zealand Airlines warned travel agents that all existing bookings must be ticketed by midnight on Monday, April 22, to avoid paying new fares.
New Zealand said pricing will be adjusted "on the fly", depending on demand, aircraft type and flight length.
Jeremy O'Brien, acting general manager of domestic operations, said the airline, like many New Zealanders and businesses, had faced rising cost pressures over the past two years.
"The cost base has risen by more than 30 percent, and so far we have absorbed as many of those costs as we can. ”
纽航CEO Greg Foran 图片：NZ Herald
When New Zealand Airlines announced in February that it would cut its profit forecast for the second half of the year, CEO Greg Foran also warned of an increase in domestic fares.
New Zealand Airlines dominates New Zealand's domestic aviation market. It is the sole operator on many routes. It occupies more than 80% of the market share.
Other smaller airlines have also raised their fares.
Statistics show that domestic airfares rose by 7.4% year-on-year in February this year.
On the issue of price, airports and airlines have recently started a game of throwing the pot.
In the year to September 2023, New Zealand Airlines increased its average one-way ticket price on domestic routes by as much as 34% from NZ$149 to NZ$200 last year, according to Airports New Zealand.
Airlines are concerned about the expansion of Auckland Airport, which will increase the cost of the airport cost-sharing unit from the current $9 to $46 in 2032 per domestic passenger.
02 Adjustment of route rules to Australia and Pacific Island countries
At the same time, New Zealand announced a series of adjustments to its routes to Australia and the Pacific Islands.
From June, simple seat+baggage fares will no longer be available on flights to Australia and the Pacific.
The new Seats to Suit service will simplify fare options and provide more "essential services" for all passengers.
Changes to New York Airlines' short-haul international booking rules effective in June:
* From June 11, the "Seat+Bag" option will be removed and replaced with the "Seat" option. This means that passengers who do not have checked baggage will only need to pay for the seat, while those who need to check in their baggage will be able to purchase a bag allowance of NZ$30.
* In-flight entertainment and snacks are provided to all passengers, with even the most basic 'seat' ticket purchased, passengers will receive in-flight entertainment and snacks or meals, as well as tea, coffee, water and juice.
* Flexible fare options have been added. New options include Worksflexi, Premiumflexi, or Businessflexi. With these tickets, you won't have to pay a rebooking fee if you want to change your booking, just pay the difference. Refundable fare options are also available.
* Overall, the new fare types include: Seat Ticket, Theworks, Worksflexi, Economy Class, Premiumflexi, Business Class and Businessflexi.
* As all passengers will be provided with snacks or meals, the airline will no longer sell in-flight snacks, but passengers will still be able to purchase beverages.
03 New Zealand Airlines increases capacity in Asia
New Zealand Airlines has also decided to prioritise the resumption of flights to Hobart and Seoul and to add business class seats on other Asian routes – at the cost of continuing to suspend the Chicago route.
New Zealand Airlines is facing a fleet shortage due to engine problems.
The airline said it would prioritise resuming routes to "critical" destinations – Hobart, Australia, and Seoul, South Korea. Flights to Tasmanian Hipba and Seoul, South Korea, are scheduled to resume in October 2024, after being suspended during the New Zealand winter.
Both routes will operate seasonally, with three direct flights per week from October to March.
New Zealand Airlines also plans to replace its 787 aircraft flying to Singapore, Tokyo and Taipei with larger 777-300 aircraft to increase capacity, mainly for business class seats.
Most of the 30,000 additional seats to Tokyo will be in Business Class and Premium Economy classes, while slightly more than half of the 20,000 additional seats on Singapore will be Business Class and all 5,000 additional seats to Taipei will be Business Class and Premium Economy classes.
The suspension of direct flights from Auckland to Chicago, originally scheduled until October 25, 2024, has been extended to the second half of 2025.