People planning to travel across New Zealand during their gap year might be interested to learn that domestic flight capacity is to be increased in the country next year.Air New Zealand has announced that it will be implementing the changes due to high demand and the predicted impact that will be made when the nation hosts the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

John Whittaker, general manager of the domestic airline, said that January 2010 had seen the company’s strongest load factor ever.The increase will take the shape of a 10.5 per cent rise in flight numbers and will be made possible by the arrival of a new Airbus A320 fleet.Mr Whittaker commented: 2011 promises to be a bumper year in New Zealand as the country creates a festival of events spanning 12 months, including arts, culture and sport.

Earlier in the year, the actor Alan Dale, who has appeared in shows such as Neighbours and Ugly Betty, recommended travellers should venture to New Zealand’s North Island as it is a fish eaters paradise”.