28 July 2017

More Reliable Service, More Passengers



The performance and reliability of Air New Zealand services out of and into Kapiti Coast Airport has improved considerably. Air New Zealand regional manager Ian Collier said the company accepted the criticism of many people who had said they couldn't rely on the local service. But the company had been working hard to address the issue and "the performance is improving and we will continue to deliver that," he said at a business briefing in Paraparaumu on Wednesday. Proof of improvements came from an audience member, Maurice Stilwell, who said, "I use it about every two weeks and the service has improved remarkably for the last six months. "I'd trust you with my holiday - just about." And Kapiti councillor Mark Benton said, "I use the service about once every three months and it's bloody brilliant. "Thanks very much and it's fantastic I don't have have to drive to Wellington." Mr Collier said Air New Zealand was happy with demand for its Paraparaumu air services though it could be better as it had been "flat for too long" however it was "cutting its lunch. So that is a good thing." Some of the challenges had included pressure from other airports and passengers decisions on their time and how much they were willing to pay. "Our role is to make sure we're as price competitive as we can be out of this port, and that we give you a schedule that is relative to the demand profile that we see." He said the challenge for the company and the community was to drive demand for the services. To grow the air service it was important to get the story and marketing of Kapiti right, firstly nationally and then internationally. "We have a whole lot of things here that are unique to us so we should put our best foot forward to ensure we're presenting that in the best way that we can, and in a way this community believes in. "If this community believes in it, then you will sell it. I would say we are in a better position now, than we have been for a long time, to be able to deliver that with clarity." Mr Collier, who noted there had been great work already, said the company "was there to help you promote that". But it was important not to lose sight of "filling the grandstands and we need to do that on the basis that we're delivering a reliable service". He felt the district had "momentum" especially with the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway which presented the district "in a different light". "It has created a complete shift and I don't think we've seen the consequences of that yet but we certainly will. "The expressway is elevated and you actually get to see Kapiti, and what it represents, when you come through, and you get curious. "And the signage [to Kapiti Coast Airport] is great."

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15 comments:

  1. A fab air link. Very, very popular and growing.
    The Q300 is nice to fly in and the time and cost saving versus going to Wellington airport is awesome.
    Next move would be adding CHC again. This would be busy also as the population continues to grow. I know many people currently driving who would change to day trips on such a service.

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  2. Would have gone to that briefing on Wednesday, but a) other commitments and b) you had to pay to enter. But it sounds like everything I've hoped for in the Air NZ link. It's going strong and could easily improve.

    I too would love to see the CHC link back in as I used that quite a lot. Air NZ just need to get the timings right next time, since 1030 to CHC and 1330 back was not ideal at all for PPQ. I can also see an ATR filling in the morning and evening service since every night I hear 50+ POP.

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    1. How do you 'hear' 50 POB?

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    2. Well, they have to say their POB when on approach like most aircraft?

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    3. Nope as it's commercially sensitive information

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    4. They've been doing that at PPQ still anyway

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    5. It would be non Standard for Pob to be called at PPQ. Ive not heard it at PPQ at all.

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    6. The CAA no longer require Airlines to state their POB to ATC as its considered commercially sensitive information that can be heard by competing Airlines

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    7. So are ATC informed how many POB are on board in case there is an incident?

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  3. "Well, they have to say their POB when on approach like most aircraft?"

    The requirement for that was removed about fifteen years ago.

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  4. Counted only a couple of empty seats on this mornings flight home to Kapiti. Fab service, love it. Long may it continue. Still many around the traps are unaware Air NZ even fly there.

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  5. What happens in the next three years when Air NZ start retiring their Q300s and replacing them with ATR-72-600's that are not able to use Kapiti Coast Airport fully loaded ?? I cannot imagine them wanting to fly them half full.

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    1. A Q300 replacement? Otherwise Air NZ would be pulling out of a lot of towns that aren't ATR capable.

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    2. The ATR-72-600 are the replacement for the older ATR's and then the Q300 so hence my point.I think Air NZ will slowly pull out of ports that are unsuitable for the Bigger ATR's. More room for Air Chats and Sounds Air possibly

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    3. The first lot of ATR 72's (pre Q3 2017) were basically to replace Q300's while Q300's replaced the 1900D's. The ones arriving now are to replace the -500 Series.

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