Stop Press: Christchurch
The below is information is related to the significant aftershocks experianced in Christchurch, 13 June 2011.
For more information on Christchurch suppliers, click here.
Update: 14/06/11 10:04am
Christchurch Update 4
Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport is open, for the latest information please refer to http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz
Christchurch Tandem Office
Our office is operational again this morning and we have skeleton staff working in our Christchurch office today. The Auckland and Wellington team will support our Christchurch based team where necessary. There maybe some instances where we are not meeting service levels and we will communicate this to you at the time of making a booking request. If you have any issues with contacting the team please call your Account Manager in the first instance.
The team at Tandem Travel
Christchurch Update 3
Update: 13/06/11 05:05pm
Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport is now open but delays are expected. For the latest information please refer to http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz
Call Volumes
We are experiencing high call volumes and have had some issues with our Auckland phones overloading. If you are experiencing issues calling through to our Auckland team please contact your Account Manager in the first instance.
Christchurch Tandem Office
The team are assessing our building and we will be monitoring overnight whether the office will remain closed tomorrow. We will provide an update in the morning and in the meantime our calls and emails will continue to be managed by the Auckland and Wellington teams.
The team at Tandem Travel
Update: 13/06/11 03:49pm
Christchurch Office Update 2
Our Christchurch office has now been evacuated due to the continuing aftershocks in Christchurch.
Phone and emails are redirecting through to our Auckland and Wellington offices, please be aware that due to high volumes, there is a delay in answer times and we ask that you only call through to us if your query is urgent.
For all non-urgent queries please send your request via email.
Christchurch Airport is currently closed as the terminal and runways are being inspected. We will send another Stop Press when the Airport re-opens but it likely to be closed for the next 2 – 3 hours.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The team at Tandem Travel
Update: 13/06/11 01:51pm
Christchurch Office
As a result of the significant aftershock this afternoon in Christchurch our Christchurch based team are working on reduced numbers and your call may divert through to our Auckland or Wellington team.
Christchurch Airport is currently inspecting the terminals and runways and is advising travellers to proceed to the airport as normal. Small delays may occur.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The team at Tandem Travel
Update 06/04/11 12:50pm
Tandem Travel Christchurch – Office location update
Tandem Travel’s Christchurch based team are all safe after the 22nd February Quake. Unfortunately, due to the extensive damage to our Kilmore Street office we have now relocated our office to a new location. Our new physical address is:
Tandem Travel
40 Perimeter Road
Christchurch Airport
Christchurch
All contact phone numbers for Tandem and email addresses remain the same.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Christchurch Public Holiday
Friday 18 March is a public holiday and a day of commemoration for Christchurch following the devastating effects of 22 February.
Tandem Travel Christchurch will be closed on Friday.
During this time all online booking special requests will be managed by the Auckland and Wellington offices. Email requests will be monitored by the Auckland team.
Calls will also continue to divert through to Auckland and Wellington during normal business hours of 8.00am – 5.30pm until the Christchurch team have relocated to their permanent premises scheduled for 3 April. Outside of these hours all calls will continue to go through to the After Hours Team.
Thank you for your patience during this time.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 02/03/11 4:00pm
The team have experienced some technology issues this afternoon which has resulted in delays to our response times. We apologise for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
Our call volumes remain high for urgent travel requests and we recommend for all non-urgent bookings to please send these through to your dedicated team via email. The team are working through the requests in travel date order.
Extended Hours
Tandem will continue with extended operating hours (8am – 8pm) until Friday 4 March. All calls after 8pm will still go through to the After Hours teams. If you experience delays for any urgent travel requests after 8pm and before 8am tomorrow please contact your Account Manager.
Supplier Updates
Please see below the latest supplier updates:
- Heritage Christchurch
Christchurch CBD where Heritage Christchurch is situated has been cordoned off until further notice. Like many other businesses inside the CBD cordon, the extent of building damage and a formal date for a return to trading are tentative. Bookings for the hotel will be available provisionally from the 4th of April. If you have existing bookings for Heritage Christchurch in the next weeks, you can cancel without penalty.
The Southern hotels continue to operate including nearby Heritage Hamner Springs and Akaroa Cottages. Heritage Queenstown and Rutherford Nelson are also working through bookings for the many visitors disrupted from their original holiday itineraries.
Heritage is able to report all their Heritage Christchurch staff and guests evacuated the hotel safely at the time of quake. - Chateau on the Park
Chateau on the Park has given the clearance by a structural engineer to reopen and will be reopening on the 4th March.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 01/03/11, 5:00pm
Please find below the latest travel updates relating to the Christchurch earthquake. From tomorrow we will send out daily updates to keep you informed on the latest developments relating to travel to and from Christchurch.
Extended Hours
Tandem will continue with extended operating hours (8am – 8pm) until Friday 4 March. The team will re-access the call volumes towards the end of the week and we will advise you of any extended operating hours over the weekend.
All calls after 8pm will continue to go through to the After Hours teams. If you experience delays for any urgent travel requests after 8pm and before 7am tomorrow please contact your Account Manager.
The Tandem Team will have skeleton staff available from 7am tomorrow morning with the majority of the team back onboard from 8am.
For all non-urgent bookings please send these through to your dedicated team via email. In most instances the teams are meeting the standard turn around times.
Supplier Updates
Please see below the latest supplier updates:
- Rydges Hotel Christchurch
As the hotel is location within the enforced CBD cordon, entry will not be possible until otherwise advised by Civil Defence. All those within the hotel were evacuated safely and all staff has been accounted for and are safe. Initial reports received are that the hotel is structurally sound, however details on the damage to the property will not be known until a full engineer assessment has been carried out. We will continue to update as information comes to hand. In the meantime they will not be taking any new reservations or check ins until 01 May. We will continue to update you all as further information becomes available.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 01/03/11 9:45am
Our team are working very hard to clear any back logs and in most instances we are meeting turnaround times, if this changes we will let you know. Our preferred method of contact is still via email. For urgent assistance if you are unable to get through to the team please contact your Account Manager.
Today we have a team looking at traveller locator reports until the end of March and working with those affected accommodation providers to find alternative arrangements if the travel is still required.
Two Minutes’ Silence
Tandem will be observing two minutes’ silence at 12.51PM today for the victims of Canterbury’s devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake. All calls over this two minute period will be placed on hold.
Supplier Updates
Please see below the latest supplier updates:
- Avis/Budget Rental Cars
Avis Rent a Car and Budget Rent a Car are open for business at Christchurch Airport domestic and International terminals. All Car vehicle categories are open for both brands. Downtown locations are closed at this stage until further notice as they are in the cordoned off part of Christchurch City. In order to meet the extraordinary demand for rental cars in Christchurch they have relocated fleet from other parts of the South Island as well as the North Island.
Whilst the team are doing their best to meet customers’ needs, we trust people will appreciate that Emergency Services will take priority. - Thrifty
Thrifty is now back to normal operation with their Head Office re-opening yesterday after having power restored. Thrifty in association with it’s parent company the NRMA have put together a fund to offer those in need of a vehicle a maximum of 7 days CCAR rental free of charge with a damage excess of $350. This is open to anybody in genuine need of a vehicle for transportation that has either lost their car due to damage or is unable to access their vehicle. If you have any family, friends, colleagues who might be in need of this help please contact your Tandem Account Manager who will liaise with Thrifty. This offer is subject to availability.
The next Stop Press will be sent out later this afternoon with an update on our extended hours for this evening and any supplier updates we receive throughout the day.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 28/02/11 5:00pm
We will again have members of the team working through until 8pm this evening to manage all urgent email and phone requests. All calls after 8pm will go through to the After Hours Team. Please be aware there will be delays when you call through to the After Hours team as they are also managing Premium Customer calls for Air New Zealand customers. If you experience delays for any urgent travel requests after 8pm and before 7am tomorrow please contact your Account Manager.
The Tandem Team will have skeleton staff available from 7am tomorrow morning with the majority of the team back onboard from 8am.
For travel from Monday 28 February to and from Christchurch
To clarify the adjusted Air New Zealand fare structure (for flights to and from Christchurch) is a capped level. For example Auckland to Christchurch from 28 February – 6 March the maximum you will pay for a Smart Saver fare is $149 one way (capped fare). Other cheaper Smart Saver fares are also available depending on your date/time of travel. All fares are subject to availability and standard smart saver terms and conditions apply.
Fully Flexi fares are also available if you require flexibility. For example Auckland to Christchurch from 28 February – 6 March the maximum you will pay for a Flexi Plus Fare is $256 (capped fare) one way. Standard Flexi Plus terms and conditions apply.
Supplier Updates
Please see below the latest supplier updates:
- Hotel Grand Chancellor Christchurch
The Hotel has suffered extensive damage and is therefore canceling all forward bookings up until 31 August 2011. At this stage they are taking no future bookings until the situation has become clearer. We will advise further details once this information is available. If you have a future booking Tandem will be in contact to assist with finding an alternative option for your travelers. - Millennium Hotel Christchurch, Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central and Copthorne Hotel Christchurch City - Update
As these properties are all situated inside the cordon the MCK Group are presently unable to gain access to the hotels. They have not yet received a clear indication as to when they can expect to gain initial access to inspect the hotels. However it would be reasonable to assume that they will not be allowed to access the area until the end of March at the earliest. For this reason MCK are advising all guests holding reservations up to 31 March 2011 with one of their three inner-city hotels, to make alternate arrangements.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 28/02/11 10:30am
Over the weekend Tandem Travel experienced a number of group booking requests for emergency services to Christchurch. Due to the volumes of these group movements it has meant in some cases we are not meeting our standard service level turnaround times.
Please be assured our team are working extremely hard to answer all calls and emails as quickly as possible. Call volumes are still high this morning and our preferred method is to contact us via email. For urgent assistance if you are unable to get through to the team please contact your Account Manager.
For travel from Monday 28 February to and from Christchurch
For sale and travel from today through to Sunday 6 March Air New Zealand has made available their smart saver fare levels on all flights. For example all fares between these dates will be priced from $69 - $149 Auckland to Christchurch (vice versa) and $59 - $129 Christchurch (vice versa). These fares cannot be booked via the Sabre Online Tool and can be booked via the Tandem Team or via airnewzealand.co.nz
Special airfares – international
Air New Zealand has compassionate international fares available for immediate family wishing to travel to or from Christchurch. International compassionate fares are as follows:
- All Tasman and Pacific Island fares to and from Christchurch, NZD50 one way (plus tax)
- All long haul fares to and from Christchurch, NZD400 one way (plus tax)
These fares are available for immediate family only, for travel 2nd March – 8 April, to book one of these fares please contact your Tandem Travel Consultant. Special conditions apply.
Airline Policies
Over the weekend please refer to the airlines websites for the most up to date information:
We will continue to keep you updated on the latest developments relating to travel to and from Christchurch throughout the day. All our historic Stop Press communications relating to the Christchurch earthquake can be found on our website
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 25/02/11 4:45pm
Extended Hours
Tandem will be extending our office hours again tonight and over the weekend to manage urgent travel bookings. Over the weekend we recommend that you contact us via your dedicated 0800 phone number in the first instance. The team will endeavour to check emails however their first priority over the weekend will be the phone calls. Details of the extended hours are as follows:
Outside of the extended office hours all calls will go through to the After Hours Team. There will be delays when you call through to the After Hours team as they are also managing Premium Customer calls for Air New Zealand customers. If you experience any delays for urgent travel over the weekend please contact your Account Manager.
Domestic Travel – travel to or from Christchurch
Air New Zealand $50 fares
Just to reiterate, Air New Zealand’s $50 domestic airfares cannot be booked via the Sabre Online Tool and can be booked via the Tandem Team or via airnewzealand.co.nz. These fares are available until midnight on Sunday 27 February.
For travel from Monday 28 February to and from Christchurch
Air New Zealand is adjusting the pricing of its domestic irfares, ensuring that Smart Saver airfares are available on all direct flights to and from Christchurch for travel through to midnight Sunday 6 March. For example fares on all flights Christchurch – Auckland will be available for between $69 - $149, and Christchurch – Wellington for between $59 - $129.
Additional Capacity
Air New Zealand is continuing to add further capacity into and out of Christchurch to meet high demand, especially for people wishing to leave Christchurch. Click here for more details on these flights.
Airline Policies
Over the weekend please refer to the airlines websites for the most up to date information:
The team at Tandem would like to thank you again for your kind words of support and patience over this time.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 25/02/11 10:00am
Our focus today remains on urgent bookings. We are still experiencing large numbers of incoming calls and are aware that not all calls are getting through to us 100% of the time due to technical issues. We continue to recommend emailing through to the team in the first instance. If you are unable to get through to the team and require urgent assistance, please contact your Account Manager.
Due to the team working extended hours the back logs are cleared and in most instances we are meeting turnaround times.
We are also working through traveller locator reports to and from Christchurch for the next week and working through alternative arrangements for these travellers.
Extension of $50 fares
Just to reiterate, Air New Zealand has extended the special $50 domestic airfares for all flights to and from Christchurch for travel through until midnight on Sunday 27 February.
Airline Policies
For the latest change policies please refer to the airlines website:
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 24/02/11 4:30pm
We have had a number of calls from our customers wanting to see how our Christchurch team are and on behalf of the team we would like to say thank you very much for your kind words and support. Some of the team have lost their homes but everyone is safe and either at home or with family and friends. At this stage we are unsure of when the office will re-open and our main priority is to ensure the team are safe and that we provide them with any support and supplies that we can.
Auckland and Wellington teams are continuing to manage the calls and emails for the Christchurch team.
We will again have members of the team working through until 8pm this evening to manage all urgent email and phone requests. All calls after 8pm will go through to the After Hours Team. Please be aware there will be delays when you call through to the After Hours team as they are also managing Premium Customer calls for Air New Zealand customers. If you have any urgent travel requests after 8pm and before 7am tomorrow please contact your Account Manager.
The Tandem Team will have skeleton staff available from 7am tomorrow morning with the majority of the team back onboard from 8am.
We have had no new updates from accommodation providers and most are waiting to access the damage to properties.
The next Stop Press will be sent tomorrow morning.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 24/02/11 2:30pm
We have been made aware that due to the volume of incoming calls, some calls are not connecting through to the Tandem Team. The best way to contact us at this time is via email.
If you are unable to get through to the team and require urgent assistance, please contact your Account Manager.
Thank you for your continued patience over this time.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 24/02/11 9:30am
Our Auckland and Wellington teams have worked through the back logs and in most instances we are meeting turnaround times, if this changes we will let you know.
Extension of $50 fares
Air New Zealand has this morning extended the special $50 domestic airfares for all flights to and from Christchurch for travel through until midnight on Sunday 27 February.
Airline Policies
For the latest change policies please refer to the airlines website:
Further capacity for travel from Christchurch
Air New Zealand is today operating the following additional services to and from Christchurch:
- Two Auckland – Christchurch return services utilising 379 seat Boeing 747 aircraft
- A 313 seat Boeing 777-200 service operating Auckland – Christchurch – Wellington – Christchurch – Auckland
- An additional 171 seat A320 return service operating Auckland – Christchurch – Wellington – Christchurch – Auckland
- An additional 133 seat 737 return service between Wellington and Christchurch
The additional capacity makes available 2,522 more seats into and out of Christchurch today, the equivalent of 19 additional 737 services
We will continue to keep you updated on the latest developments relating to travel to and from Christchurch throughout the day. All our historic Stop Press communications relating to the Christchurch earthquake can be found on our website
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 23/02/11 5.30pm
The Tandem Team have a number of staff working through until 8pm this evening to manage all urgent email and phone requests.
After 8pm the After Hours Team will manage our calls. Please be aware there will be delays when you call through to the After Hours team as they are also managing Premium Customer calls for Air New Zealand customers. If you have any urgent travel requests after 8pm and before 7am tomorrow please contact your Account Manager.
The Tandem Team will have skeleton staff available from 7am tomorrow morning with the majority of the team back onboard from 8am.
The next Stop Press will be sent out tomorrow morning once we have compiled the updates overnight from suppliers.
Thank you for your patience and understanding over the last 28 hours.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update 23/02/11 3:30pm
Our team are working extremely hard to answer all calls and emails as quickly as possible. Call volumes are still high are our preferred method is to contact us via email. For urgent assistance if you are unable to get through to the team please contact your Account Manager.
Additional capacity from Christchurch to Wellington and Auckland
Air New Zealand is continuing to add additional capacity out of Christchurch to meet the high demand for people wishing to depart the city.
The total additional services added for travel today, in addition to our standard scheduled services, are:
- A Boeing 777-200 (313 seats) service from Christchurch to Wellington and Christchurch to Auckland for evacuees at the request of Civil Defence
- An A320 (171 seats) service from Wellington to Christchurch
- A return Boeing 737 (133 seats) service between Christchurch and Wellington
Additional wide-body services tomorrow
From tomorrow morning, Air New Zealand will also be operating two additional return Boeing 747-400 services between Christchurch and Auckland and is looking at further capacity options.
Extension of $50 fares
Air New Zealand has today extended the special $50 domestic airfares for all flights to and from Christchurch for travel through until midnight on Friday 25 February.
International flights
Christchurch International Airport Limited has now reopened its International Terminal.
Rental Cars
We have been advised that Avis and Budget are open at Christchurch Airport Domestic Terminal only and Vehicles are available. They cannot confirm vehicle type ,it is transport only at this stage . Emergency Services do take priority.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update: 23/02/11 11:00am
As you can appreciate our focus at this time is to contact travellers through our locator reports who are due to travel to or from Christchurch within 48 hours to work through alternative arrangements.
Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport will open for international flights at revised schedule times this afternoon. Check in facilities will start opening from 12PM. Christchurch Airport recommends that all passengers check with the airlines before going to the airport terminal for their revised departure times.
Fare Flexibility
Both Air New Zealand and Jetstar have released some flexibility around fares to and from Christchurch further details are below:
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand is introducing ticketing flexibility on all fare types for those due to travel to and from Christchurch. The options are as follows for passengers ticketed prior to the Tuesday 22 February:
- Passengers ticketed for travel to and from Christchurch prior to and including Friday 25 March may defer their travel to a later Air New Zealand flight in the same booking class inside 12-months of the original date of travel without penalty. If only higher booking classes are available, the fare differential will apply. If the proposed date of travel is unknown, then the value of the ticket may be held in credit for payment towards travel within the same 12-month validity.
- Passengers ticketed to travel to Christchurch prior to and including Friday 25 March may change their travel to another Air New Zealand destination without penalty. In this instance any applicable fare differential will apply.
- Passengers who are ticketed and wish to bring their travel to/from Christchurch forward to a date on/prior to Friday 11 March may do so in the same cabin (regardless of booking class) without penalty and fare difference. If a cabin upgrade is required the fare differential will apply.
- Any incidental costs and penalties such as accommodation etc will be the passengers own responsibility.
Jetstar
For affected customers and those undertaking near travel from/to Christchurch until and including Friday 25 February 2011, will offer full flexibility in travel including refunds, re-routing or changes to travel dates/times for no fee. Travel must be taken prior to 11 April 2011.
Call Volumes and Contacting Tandem Travel
Please be aware that due to high call volumes, there is a delay in call answer times at Tandem and we thank you for your continued patience over this time.
Our preferred method is via email unless you have an urgent request for travel within the next 48 hours.
Further capacity for travel from Christchurch
Air New Zealand is adding further capacity into and out of Christchurch this afternoon to meet high demand, especially for people wishing to leave Christchurch.
An additional 313 seat Boeing 777-200 will also operate this afternoon between Christchurch and Auckland as follows:
- Depart Christchurch 1550, arrive Auckland 1710
An additional 133 seat Boeing 737-300 will also operate this afternoon between Wellington and Christchurch as follows:
- Depart Wellington 1500, arrive Christchurch 1545
- Depart Christchurch 1615, arrive Wellington 1700
All domestic fares to and from Christchurch continue to be available at $50 until 8am Friday 25 February.
The additional flights have added more than 2,200 seats to and from Christchurch today.
Air New Zealand would like to remind customers that Government agencies are advising against any non-essential travel to Christchurch.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update: 23/02/11 9:00am
Please find below the latest travel information.
Christchurch Airport
Domestic Flights
Domestic Flights have commenced. For the latest flight arrival and departure details please click on the below:
International Flights
An announcement will be made on International flights to and from Christchurch at 10am. For the latest updates please go to http://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/.
Special Fares
Domestic Travel – travel to or from Christchurch
Air New Zealand is offering a fare level for travel from or to Christchurch from any domestic airport on the New Zealand network for $50.00 one way inclusive of GST. Travel is valid for any New Zealand domestic flight on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 February only. To book please contact Tandem preferably via email as our call volumes are high. No service fees will be charged. Or you can book via airnz.co.nz.
There are also special compassionate fare levels available for immediate family members wishing to travel to Christchurch from Australia and other Longhaul destinations. For full details and bookings please contact your Tandem Travel Consultant.
Extra Flights on Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand will operate a second Boeing 747 into and out of Christchurch this afternoon to meet the needs of family, friends and emergency services.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – there is a 60 minute check in time at the domestic terminals for the two special 747 flights to and from Christchurch today. Once checked in travellers will be bussed to the aircraft.
Times for the special additional flights are as follows:
- Depart Auckland 10:30, arrive Christchurch 11:50
- Depart Christchurch 13:20, arrive Auckland 14:50
The airline will also operate a special A320 service this afternoon from Wellington to Christchurch.
Tandem Travel Christchurch Office
Our thoughts are obviously with our team and their families and friends. At this stage our Christchurch office is closed until further notice. All calls and emails are being diverted through to our Wellington and Auckland teams.
Contacting our Tandem Team
For all urgent bookings within the next 24 hours please email or call the Tandem Travel team. Please be aware that due to high call volumes, there is also a delay in email responses however the team will action your request as soon as possible.
Today we have a team who will be focusing on contacting travellers who are due to travel to or from Christchurch within the 48 hours to work through alternative arrangements.
Another Stop Press will be set at 11am today and will contain the latest information on accommodation and rental cars suppliers in Christchurch.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update: 22/02/11 4:20pm
All flights to and from Christchurch until 7pm this evening are cancelled pending the completion of infrastructure and runway inspections by Christchurch Airport.
Tandem Christchurch remains closed until further notice. All calls are being diverted through to the Wellington and Auckland offices.
For all urgent bookings within the next 24 hours please call through to the Tandem Travel team. Please be aware that due to high call volumes, there is also a delay in email responses however the team will action your request as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience during this time.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Update: 22/02/11 1:30pm
Christchurch Airport is currently closed.
Tandem Christchurch has been evacuated and the phones have been diverted through to the Wellington and Auckland offices.
Traveller Locator reports have been pulled and we are making contact with affected travellers.
Thank you for your patience during this time.
Kind regards
The Team at Tandem Travel
Click here to view Airport Arrival / Departure Information