Wanted: Tall, Dark, Handsome, Charming, Intelligent, Witty guys.

That's the call from New Zealand women but apparently they're an endangered species in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Enter two Tall, Charming, Intelligent and Witty Air New Zealand pilots (Captains of course) who are tackling the man drought issue head-on.

Captain Duncan Beck and Captain Guy McWilliams, both Boeing 767 pilots have offered to take two ladies on a date at a top Auckland restaurant, as part of Air New Zealand's Christmas Charity Auction which aims to raise funds for Starship Foundation, Make-A-Wish New Zealand and StarJam, see www.zillion.co.nz/airnz

Added to the auction today, Mr Beck and Mr McWilliams join Prime Minister Helen Clark, Leader of the Opposition John Key, All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw, athletes Sarah Ulmer, Hamish Carter and Barbara Kendall who have all contributed items to this year's biggest online charity auction.

Captain McWilliams promises an evening of fun and great conversation.

"We thought if our CEO Rob Fyfe was game enough to mow lawns for the auction, why couldn't we offer to take two ladies on a double date? As pilots we're constantly travelling, meeting a lot of people from around the world so this would be a great way to meet two women from our hometown. It's a great cause and through this, I hope we raise a few dollars for the charities," said Mr McWilliams.

More than 60 lots ranging from $50 to $50,000 in value are up for grabs including travel across the airline's entire network.

To date, the auction has raised more than $170,000. All proceeds from the auction will be equally divided between the three children's charities.

Interesting developments:

* Bids to have morning tea with Prime Minister Helen Clark or lunch with Leader of the Opposition John Key has reached loggerheads with both auction items tied at $2500 [Now Key is ahead on $3050]

* Keen Richie McCaw fans are digging deep with bidding now at $1850 to spend quality time with him in a flight simulator

* Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe's offer to mow lawns has soared in value in the last 24 hours, more than doubling from $425 to $925

* Meanwhile serious bidders are tackling it out for Business Premier flights to London currently at $12,200, 3-months unlimited travel anywhere in the world at $13,050, and Business Premier flights around the world at $12,050

The auction runs until 7.00pm on Tuesday 19 December 2006.

To check out the auction go to www.airnz.co.nz and click on the Christmas Charity Auction tile or visit: www.zillion.co.nz/airnz

The auction is being kindly hosted by www.zillion.co.nz

Air New Zealand's Business Premier service has been named by Business Traveller Magazine as having the Best Business Class to South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand in 2006.

Business Traveller Magazine has been a leader in recognising excellence in business travel for the past 18 years.

Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims said today he was thrilled with the award, which reflected the company's significant investment in its long-haul cabin crew and fleet.

"Over the past two years we've completely redesigned our Business class service, which today sets us apart from other long-haul operators.

"We continue to make every effort to bring a touch of authentic Kiwi style to our flights - that includes everything from the look and feel of our cabin, to the uniforms our crew wear and the New Zealand wine they serve in-flight," he said.

Mr Sims said the airline's innovative lie-flat beds had been a huge hit with international customers, as had the depth and variety of the content on its Inflight Entertainment System.

"It all contributes to a unique New Zealand package that is being recognised as one of the world's best, and one we anticipate will continue to generate accolades worldwide."

The takeover of Qantas highlights the strong position Air New Zealand is now in, says Forsyth Barr aviation analyst Rob Mercer.

Mercer yesterday published a research report upgrading his recommendation on the stock to "buy" and lifting his valuation of Air New Zealand to $2.20 a share from $1.52.

The shares closed at $1.76 last night, having risen nearly 20 per cent in the past three weeks....

Air New Zealand is likely to face increased competition after Qantas agreed to a takeover deal by a consortium of private equity firms.

The consortium led by Macquarie Bank and United States private equity firm Texas Pacific Group will pay $A5.60 ($NZ6.34) a share, valuing the airline at $A11.1 billion.

Mr Fyfe said the Macquarie bid looked fully priced....

Air New Zealand will not make any changes to its strategy after the Qantas ownership change, chief executive Rob Fyfe says....

...Forsyth Barr aviation analyst Rob Mercer said the New Zealand domestic and the transtasman routes would be low on the list of routes the new owners were likely to target for growth.

He said Qantas also risked pushing Air New Zealand into an alliance with other airlines if it took a hostile approach.

Auckland International Airport plans to develop a hotel within 12 months, as it increases non-aeronautical revenue to help pay for new runways and terminals.

The airport has set aside 180ha for developments including an expanded business park. The company expects to develop a four-or five-star hotel close to its international terminal and a lower-rated hotel nearby.

"We get strong cashflows out of our non-aeronautical business activities and that certainly helps us fund our aeronautical investment," said chief executive officer Don Huse....

Air New Zealand is boosting its regional services next year, increasing the number of people it employees in regional bases.

The national carrier is proposing to start non-stop Air New Zealand Link routes between Invercargill and Wellington and New Plymouth and Christchurch next October. A direct Tauranga-Christchurch service will start next December....

Air New Zealand is trying to re-employ more than 80 engineering staff, just 10 months after laying off 300 to save the large-aircraft maintenance business.

In February more than 2000 engineering staff, faced with the closure of the Auckland heavy maintenance base and the loss of 617 jobs, agreed to sweeping labour reforms to save $48 million over five years...

A shot of exhaust flame from the tail of an Air New Zealand Boeing 737 caused a brief scare at Auckland Airport today, though the airline said there was never any danger to passengers.

Air NZ spokeswoman Tracey Palmer told NZPA the plane was taxiing into the airport from Christchurch when the pilot started the auxiliary power unit, in the tail....

Airlines around the world are keeping an anxious eye on an $NZ90 million class action brought by Australian travel agents against six international carriers.

Australian agents are claiming the airlines have deprived them of $90 million worth of commission and breached the Trade Practices Act by claiming fuel surcharges as a separate tax rather than part of the airfare.

If the class action from more than 1,450 agents against Qantas, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines is successful, other international carriers could face claims running into the hundreds of millions of dollars....

Hamilton International Airport today confirmed a $5 levy on departing domestic passengers from January 8.

Air New Zealand is challenging the decision in the Auckland High Court, seeking a judicial review of the levy.

The challenge, based on six separate but related grounds, is not expected to be heard for some months....

The dysfunction and dissent at the Civil Aviation Authority, highlighted in a report released yesterday, will be relegated to the past, the new director of the aviation watchdog promises.

In the past few weeks authority director John Jones has retired, chairman Ron Tannock has resigned, and his deputy, Hazel Armstrong, has decided against seeking a third term. Further changes to the board are expected....

One lucky punter has forked out more than $3,000 dollars to fly in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 into Queenstown.

The jumpseat prize was one of more than 60 on offer in Air New Zealand's Christmas Charity Auction....