Airlines have added extra flights across the Tasman to meet the demand for New Zealanders heading across the Ditch for Sunday’s Cricket World Cup final against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Black Caps defeated South Africa in Tuesday night’s semi final to confirm their participation in Sunday’s decider, prompting a rush for seats to Australia.
Air New Zealand said its additional flights from Auckland to Melbourne departing on Saturday and return service leaving the Victorian capital on Monday sold out in less than an hour. The airline has also added a Boeing 777-200ER charter service due to arrive on the morning of the match and return after it has concluded.
Virgin Australia has scheduled five extra return services to Melbourne – four from Auckland and one from Christchurch.
And Qantas says it has boosted capacity by more than 1,300 seats with four additional return flights operating on Saturday and Monday.
