Air New Zealand has dropped its direct flights between Auckland and Norfolk Island because of declining passenger numbers. The flights will cease in May 2017, but passengers will still be able to fly to Norfolk Island with the carrier using connections through Sydney and Brisbane. "The Auckland-Norfolk Island route is not commercially sustainable so it makes sense to focus our operations out of Australia, where there's good potential," general manager networks Richard Thomson said. Air New Zealand said the small number of customers holding bookings on the Auckland-Norfolk Island flight after May 2017 could instead travel there via Australia, put their fare towards another destination or get a full refund. The airline's flights to Norfolk Island will continue to leave from Sydney twice a week and Brisbane once a week. During the peak season from September to April, five flights per week will leave.
This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com
With exception to some special events, numbers were typically in the 70s. No surprise it's being chopped. Q400 might have been good for the route, oh well :-(
ReplyDeleteToo far for the ATR's?
ReplyDeleteNo not too far. The ATR72-600 has a range of 1,528 km. But I don't think they will put it on the route unfortunately.
DeleteFriendships used to do it... DC-4 before that
ReplyDeleteAir Chathams to the rescue...
ReplyDeleteConvair's got the legs for it... NZ's second international airline???
ReplyDeleteYea that'd be cool. Nostalgic plane for the route would really add to the experience.
DeleteBig league tho getting involved with international flying and the stricter rules and regulations that go with it.
The flights from Australia are operated by Air NZ under a subsidy contract with the Australian government, last renewed in 2016 with 3 years to run. The level of subsidy is not disclosed. It would be pretty hopeless for anyone from NZ to try to compete with Air NZ flying A320s three times a week out of Australia. After May 2017 Air NZ still offers flights to Norfolk through Australia starting at around $360 one way.
ReplyDeleteGosh the Norfolk Islanders havd been shafted by Australia .... Now our National carrier is shafting them. Ashame they don't try to promote N I more ..
ReplyDeleteThere might have been some agreement between the Australian Government and Air NZ to drop the direct AKL/NLK route when the Government renewed Air NZ contract for services from Australia to Norfolk Island.
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