Pacific Blue enters battle for domestic passengers

As Air New Zealand planes took off above them, Pacific Blue strategists enjoying a meal near Christchurch Airport launched Project Salmon - an operation to bushwhack existing airlines and give domestic travel the biggest shakeup in six years.

Their secret plan got its name partly in reference to the fish that looks something like a big red herring, but mainly in honour of the long, wine-aided lunch at a salmon fishing lodge in early May.