An anonymous quote was posted on the blog last night...
Origin looks to be finally all over.
Customers abandoned, Metroliners gone from Nelson. Not taking bookings
I've checked the bookings section and that seems to be correct...
On Wednesday a Metroliner flew Nelson-Palmerston North and then flew on to Auckland.
On a separate note, if this is the end for Originair, Sounds Air have just had another PC12 delivered across the Tasman... It did a Feilding-Nelson return yesterday... PMR-NSN two or three times a day would be a good fit for a PC12 if not a Caravan!
The first chapters of Originair are recorded here:
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/originair-new-cook-strait-carrier.html
The details about Originair using Metroliners are recorded in the following posts - the comments are also interesting
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/originair-using-metros.html
and
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/originairs-explanation.html
Finally... I never managed to get a photo of ECI in Originair colours. Has anyone got a good high res pic they could send me???
Thanks - Steve - westland831@gmail.com
With the public's expectation of jet fares on a turboprop it was always a difficult proposition. What it does show is that the Air NZ decision to exit the 19 seat TP market was the correct one.
ReplyDeleteIf there was money to be made in the 19 TP market then the 19 seat aircraft would still be in production. Like the Navajo/Chieftain/C402/404 the days of metro/J31/32 are over and it is the time of the C208 and PC12.
Metro still profitable.
DeleteSo why is it you can not buy a new one?
DeleteThe Metro is only profitable if you are not planning a replacement of the aircraft in the cost of operation. i.e. it is not a sustainable operation.
I would agree that there is the expectation of jet like fares and thats just not possible with any aircraft with small capacity. However the reason you can't buy a new metro is because the company doesn't exist any more. The demand for the 19 seat aircraft is simply far to small to warrant the enormous costs of design and development. The majority of airlines are opting for more seats in their upgrades. That said, it doesn't mean that 19 seaters are not profitable because many are such as the Metro mentioned by the above poster and to a less extent the Jetstream. The 19 seater that is NOT profitable is of course the B1900 that Air NZ had. With their over powered, expensive gas guzzling PT6s they have the operating economics of a 30 seat aeroplane, obviously with only 19. Not to mention the fact that they are Beechcraft which, although they make a fantastic, robust and reliable product,- you sure as hell pay for it, especially in parts. Lets not forget that the 1900s of Air NZ were amongst the most flogged out tired old 1900s in the world.
DeleteAnd, 19 seat aircraft are still in production. The Twin otter and of course the Dornier 228 which has better operating economics per seat per mile than a C208.
The PC12 is not even worth the mention as they are NOT an RPT airliner and there's nothing economic about them in that role. Hell even a metro will be knocking on the back door of a pc12 on a cost per mile but with double the capacity.
Amen - was always going to happen
ReplyDeleteThe stupid thing was they had good PMR loadings so run right it could have worked ?
ReplyDeleteGood loadings don't always indicate profit. If your selling seats at below cost then your bound to fail.
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DeleteI did a flight check for 29 Jul 16 NSN/PMR.
ReplyDeleteThere were seats available from $149.00 one way.
It allowed my to proceed with booking up to card payment page.
So, somebody needs to verify the so called anonymous post concerning Originair
Looks like you can still buy a ticket on the Nelson-Wellington flight on the 10/Apr/2016. But otherwise the flights are listed as 'full' until Sunday the 12th June. The seats between Nelson and Wellington in June start from $109 oneway.
DeleteBack before the jetstreams were grounded they also displayed thrice weekly flights between Nelson and New Plymouth starting this month, before later being removed from their booking system.
@Kris How about April, May and most of June? How did you get on there?
DeleteSmells fishy to me!
As I mentioned in the post... the last flights operated by Inflite were on Wednesday, NSN-PMR-NSN... NSN-PMR-AKL. There were no flights operated Thursday, Friday or today! Then on the reservations system, full flights or unavailable? Something is up!
DeleteIs this due to the charter flights they are operating between various airports operating from March 30th to April 29 as published on Originair's facebook page?
ReplyDeleteOne of the Metros was out flying today:
Deletehttps://flightaware.com/live/flight/INF3/history/20160402/2230ZZ/NZWB/NZAA
That's not an Originair route
DeleteThe following is taken from the Originair Facebook page on the 10th of March:
Delete"We have some exciting charter positioning flights available over the next couple of months, some prices starting at $9!! See below for full details!
Auckland-Nelson Wednesday 30 March departing at 12:45pm
Nelson-Auckland Sunday 3 April departing at 4:00pm
Both flights starting from $109 one way, 7kg carry-on and 15kg checked bag included.
Nelson-Blenheim Friday 29 April departing at 1:20pm for only $9!!
Carry-on only, checked bag up to 15kg can be purchased for $20.
Taupo-Nelson Friday 29 April departing at 4:30pm
Prices starting at $29, 7kg carry-on at 15kg checked bag included.
To book these flights go originair.co.nz or call us on 0800 380 380."
NSN to AKL Sunday 3rd of April 1600...???? No Metro in NSN today
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ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand and have heard, the current downfall of Origin air may not be due ticket prices rather due the actions / attitudes of one individual as seems to be hinted to above. I know if it was my AOC being used, with what was going on I would be out of there quick fast and in a hurry as it seems air freight did. The big killer of course having to pay another operator to do your work for you and a far inferior product with other inconveniences the passengers certainly didn't pay for.
ReplyDeleteThat said, when they were running it origin did have a good product and by all accounts loads were not bad and passengers happy. So I hope its not all over for them.
What really needs to happen is them and Kiwi regional need to join up and use the strengths and resources of each other to survive. On their own they are both distend to fail,- "Winter is coming". Together they could potentially create a good reliable product and maybe even one day become a feeder of the regions to one of the larger airlines.
"United we stand, divided we fall"
Customers we not contacted, nobody at the airport to front them. Families beside themselves, stranded, angry, not arrangements made for them.
ReplyDeleteSurprised this outfit has avoided media spotlight, i guess its not Air NZ or Jetstar.
They apparently cancelled the Wanaka charters for the airshow at the eleventh hour and stranded those people too.
DeleteThis is not true. I went they offered me flights to ZQN and a car at their expense and I took that had a great day. Was due to the metro not being able to land on the Airwork ops procedures so bit of a bugger but they got me there and back. They offered this to everyone some people may not have taken it but tough they want to complain about it as well. For the record I was originally booked on the air NZ q300 charter they cancelled that due to low numbers and they never offers me a thing..........go Originair I had a great day thanks.
DeleteI was on Air NZ flight too they just refunded me! I tried to book Origin but the flight was full so I drove from Chch. Hope Origin stays with us they are nice to fly better than sounds air they are scary.
Delete3 current bookings totalling $450 and absolutely nothing from them!! Proving hard to get a hold of....
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you alert the media if you are so sure about your post. Grow up!
DeleteI emailed them on Friday, I got a response from info@originair.nz they have refunded me and it showed up on my card on the Saturday morning. I don't think they have stopped operating they seem pretty helpful when I spoke to them they did say they are not selling flights until they have garantee of aircraft.
DeleteSo that would explain why they are not taking any more bookings till June 12 or there abouts. I see you can book flights beyond that date hopefully they will have the Jetstream back in operation as well then.
Delete(OP) I have heard from Origin. Due unforseen circumstances my flights have had to be canned. A refund has been organised. Very helpful staff member and I hope that this airline survives. I enjoyed the 5 or 6 flights across to Palmey I did with them. Ill leave going to the media to someone else, not my way of doing things at all. As for Growing Up -that's a very childish response don't you think.......
DeleteAir NZ seem to have some pretty sharp prices on NSN-WLG-PMR, but will miss those direct flights
Air NZ is moving to the planned Q300 upguage on WLG - PMR making the connection easier and more affordable.
DeleteNone of this explains why the CAA grounded specifically these two jet streams ?
ReplyDeleteSteve may I suggest some moderation to protect some of the names mentioned here. Once comments like this are on the net it may ruin a career based solely on the comments of an individual.
ReplyDeleteI am not involved whatsoever but feel that a lot of the stuff mentioned here is just gossip that has no evidence or proof, at least yet.
I have been on the road since I put up the original post... My apologies for not cleaning up the comments earlier... I'm sure there are lot of theories out there as to what has happened and why...
ReplyDeleteHowever the purpose of the blog is to give the news on what is happening in the NZ domestic airline scene rather than trying to bag individuals. Accordingly I have deleted all comments naming or blaming individuals.
I certainly enjoyed by flight on Originair. I hope what is going on behind behind the scenes will be sorted out so that they can keep flying
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DeleteHi MG Aviation NZ... I've deleted all the comments with names... you might want to delete your comment and repost with your sentiments without naming anyone... cheers Steve
DeleteGood to see thank you.
DeleteGood on you Steve to maintain the integrity of this site. Bravo. And thanks this blog is excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt seems Origin have blocked all seats NSN/PMR until 11 Jun 16.
ReplyDeleteSeats are showing NSN/PMR from 12 Jun 16 onwards.
Somebody needs to check with Originair directly to see what is happening.
We did ring them and the response was: We are trying to source an aircraft. . .
DeleteThis on the Nelson Mail Web site tonight.....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/78530360/nelsons-originair-not-flying-but-hopes-to-be-back-in-the-air-soon-says-inglis