28 February 2023

Works didn't work for me


I had my first international flight with Air New Zealand since Covid on the weekend and was travelling on a Works fare - meal and movies - for the almost five hour flight to Adelaide...

Meal choice was a Vegetarian Fritata or Muesli. And this was it was a soggy, small piece of fritata, a spoonful of relish that was stuck to the base and a small cinnamon roll... I was left feeling hungry and considering ordering something else to fill me up. I don't usually complain but I did send one to Air NZ on this - I would have been better off getting a breakfast meal from McDonalds and taking that on board. I hope this is not a sign of the direction Air New Zealand is wanting to go... The couple next to me - who brought their own food - remarked how stingy it was.




On the plus side the cabin crew were superb... their attention to the passengers around me who had certain needs was exceptional. Meals like this let them down too!


PS - Thanks to Paul for a reminder of what meals used to look like



27 February 2023

Temporary Service Starts


Air New Zealand has launched its first flights between Napier and Gisborne. The new temporary service between Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawkes Bay is a result of the two regions struggling with the impacts of devastating floods and severely damaged roads. The direct service will operate Sunday to Friday and is in addition to the airline's existing services to and from Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.  Flights are available for travel from 26 February to 25 March.

Last evening Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEB operated the first southbound flight, NZ8477 and this morning flying the first flight northbound NZ8478. 

A big thanks to Matthew Gibson who caught Air New Zealand's Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEB operating the first northbound service departing Napier on 27 February 2023


25 February 2023

Air New Zealand Update



Air New Zealand's recovery is well underway, with the airline today announcing statutory earnings before taxation of $299 million and revenue of $3.1 billion for the six months ending 31 December 2022 - progress that will enable the airline to support New Zealand's economic recovery. 

Financial summary

  • Statutory earnings before taxation of $299 million, compared to a loss of $376 million for the equivalent six-month period last year
  • Operating revenue of $3.1 billion driven by strong demand particularly across the peak summer period
  • Flew eight million passengers compared to three million for the same period last year
  • Domestic capacity at 94% of pre-Covid levels, and International at 60% capacity
  • 3,000 people recruited since January 2022, 2,000 of which were recruited in the six months to 31 December – biggest recruitment drive in the airline's history

Following three years of Covid-related losses, Air New Zealand's interim result reflects sustained demand strength, particularly across the summer peak period, a return in business travel and overseas tourists, as well as cargo revenues above pre-Covid levels. Air New Zealand Chair Dame Therese Walsh says she is incredibly proud of the Air New Zealand whānau and their determined efforts to get New Zealanders flying again, especially given the challenges of restarting an airline amid Covid. "Today's result reflects an important milestone in our recovery and places us in a strong position to deliver on our strategy," says Dame Therese. "When New Zealand's borders reopened much earlier than expected, our people rose to the occasion, moving swiftly to return aircraft to service, relaunch 29 routes and onboard more than 3,000 employees to support the eight million customers we flew between July and December – the busiest period we've seen in over three years. "Despite some turbulence, we've stayed focused on getting our customers where they needed to go while keeping our eyes on the future. This result means we can continue to invest in our fleet, our people and our decarbonisation goals, to deliver the customer experience Air New Zealand is world-renown for. "But we must acknowledge these results are being announced in the wake of the devastation that the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle have left behind. Both of these catastrophic events have heavily impacted several regions we fly to, and our hearts go out to all those impacted. We're committed to supporting those regions however we can." Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran echoed Dame Therese's comments and praised teams across the business who worked quickly to ensure the safety of our customers and our people. On the financial performance for the half, Mr Foran noted the result was delivered against a backdrop of significant labour, supply chain and operational pressures that have challenged the airline, and the entire global aviation system. "Our recovery is well underway and operating performance is improving steadily, but like most airlines globally, we continue to experience challenges that make it hard at times for our fantastic team to deliver the level of service we expect of ourselves, and our customers expect of us," says Mr Foran. "We know we have more work to do to tackle customer concerns like long wait times at our call centres, getting planes to depart and arrive on time, lost baggage and getting refunds back in a timely manner. We want to thank customers for bearing with us through these and other challenges since we restarted flying. We're very aware that flying is not currently the pain-free experience it should be and getting back into shape is a key priority. "On top of this, air fares are higher than they were pre-Covid. Like many businesses, we're facing a high inflation environment with increased fuel, labour and other supplier costs at a time when more customers are wanting to travel, and that flows through to ticket prices. "A key focus for the team has been bringing back much needed capacity to minimise the impact of higher prices on customers. With six Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft now returned into service, three new domestically configured A321neo aircraft delivered and a fully crewed leased aircraft to serve the Auckland-Perth route, we are adding capacity back at pace." Alongside this, the airline is also working to extend lease agreements, where appropriate, on existing aircraft and making tactical changes to the network to deliver an additional 2.7 million seats, or an extra 10,000 seats a day for the coming northern summer period, which runs from the end of March until the end of October. "I'm incredibly proud of our people because, despite the challenges we've faced, we have fully reopened our international network, launched our flagship service to New York, and improved our onboard food service. We've also upgraded our mobile app, grown our Airpoints Store six-fold since 2019 and taken bold steps towards becoming a more sustainable airline. That is no small ask. "We're investing in our people, recruiting 2,000 employees in the last six months alone, increasing our lowest wages and supporting new parents by improving parental leave." Dame Therese highlighted the airline's ability to take a long-term view despite the short-term operational challenges, by delivering digital enhancements, beginning construction on a new hangar at Auckland airport, and taking meaningful steps on its decarbonisation journey – all supported by the everyday efforts of a special team. "We've short-listed four world-leading innovators, along with five long-term partners, to help us deliver on our mission to have our first zero-emissions demonstrator flight in the skies in 2026, and a new regional Q300 turboprop fleet from 2030. "We've also welcomed our first shipment of imported Sustainable Aviation Fuel into Aotearoa, which was a huge milestone for us. We're committed to finding a more sustainable way to connect with the world and know that the future of travel relies on low-carbon air transport. "As we look ahead to the second half of this financial year, macroeconomic challenges are front of mind, including the financial impact of inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. At this moment, however, we are observing demand trends that are offsetting these macro headwinds. Air travel is still in the Covid recovery phase with high levels of demand, and the current capacity and supply chain constraints will limit supply at least in the short-term. The new hybrid work environment has also enabled greater freedom and flexibility for customers which we believe will continue to drive domestic leisure bookings. "While we cannot predict the future, we know this new normal we find ourselves in requires great skill and dexterity to navigate. Having now spent the better part of three years dealing with constant change and flux, our people are the very best in the business to deal with anything that comes our way."

Distributions

At the capital raise in May 2022, the Board outlined its intention to consider dividends to shareholders no earlier than the 2026 financial year, based on a number of factors including the expected trajectory of demand recovery and the airline's financial performance. Air New Zealand has experienced a stronger and faster recovery than initially expected, with borders reopening early, and strong and sustained levels of demand. On this basis, the Board will consider distributions to shareholders in August when the airline announces its 2023 annual financial results. 

Outlook for 2023

Looking to the remainder of the financial year, we are optimistic about the levels of demand we continue to observe but acknowledge there is significant uncertainty regarding the overall economic outlook both domestically and internationally, with increasing inflationary pressures, tighter monetary policy and other macroeconomic factors. We also note that the second half of the financial year is typically weaker than the first half.  Against this backdrop and based on the assumption of an average jet fuel price of US$105 per barrel for the second half of the financial year, 2023 earnings before other significant items and taxation are expected to be in the range of $450 million to $530 million. This guidance includes a preliminary estimate of the impact of the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.


Source : https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2023-air-new-zealand-demand-driving-strong-recovery

24 February 2023

Taupō to Christchurch - Would it work?

 


Direct flights from Taupō to Christchurch could become a reality as Taupō’s newly redeveloped airport aims to “be the heart of a growing aviation industry” in the district. According to a Taupō Airport Authority (TAA) committee meeting agenda, the TAA approached Air New Zealand in June last year to “assess the potential for a direct air link between Taupō and Christchurch”. The meeting will be held on Monday, and the report states the plan was a “work in progress” with Air New Zealand conducting an analysis of its Taupō to Christchurch (via Auckland) flights to see if a direct link could be feasible. The TAA is expecting a response from the airline in June or July this year, and Taupō Business Chamber president Amy Penn said a new route to Christchurch would be more than welcome. "The Christchurch to Taupō route opening would have a significant positive impact on local tourism and businesses providing a much-needed connection to the South Island, not only for travellers but creating opportunities for businesses to connect easily." Meanwhile, Sounds Air and the TAA are in negotiations to extend the Blenheim-based domestic airline’s contract with the airport. Sounds Air operates 15 return flights a week from Wellington to Taupō and the report states both companies are discussing “future schedules and route development” however, the result of these negotiations are not expected until mid-2023. Taupō Airport general manager Wayne Wootton said the new terminal and carpark were already a huge asset to the district. “It will not only serve as a transport hub for locals and visitors alike, but will be the heart of a growing aviation industry centred around our airport that includes a well-established skydiving destination, a growing aviation engineering industry, the rescue helicopter, and a strong agricultural and forestry aviation sector.” Airport operations manager Kim Gard said passenger numbers were steadiliy increasing and were around 90% of pre-Covid levels. “Based on the results for the first six months of financial year 2024, it is anticipated that the total number of passengers for the whole of the current financial year will be 65,000. “General aviation numbers are gradually improving, especially with the high increase in jet charter numbers in recent months and the recovery of the local operator’s skydiving and parachuting business. Land adjoining the airport has also been earmarked for future light industrial development to “boost commercial revenue for the airport with less reliance on aviation related activities”. “To date management has received three expressions of interest and are working with the interested parties,” Gard said. “An access road into the area already exists but, with regards services, there is only a water supply of limited pressure. To fully develop the area, management believes that full services, including an upgrade to the existing water supply, power, storm water and sewerage will need to be installed, the costs of which will be recovered through tenant leases.”

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300812997/taup-airport-company-eyes-christchurch-connection

An interesting idea but from 1987 to 1991 Mount Cook tried flights between Taupō and Christchurch via Wellington... they didn't last. Has anything changed???

23 February 2023

Air New Zealand launches temporary Gisborne – Napier service



Air New Zealand has added a new temporary service between Tairāwhiti Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay at a time when the two regions are struggling with the impacts of devastating floods and severely damaged roads. The direct service will operate Sunday to Friday and is in addition to the airline's existing services to and from Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.   Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty says that the airline is committed to supporting the communities most impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle and this temporary direct flight will provide a convenient and efficient travel option as recovery efforts continue. "The floods have caused widespread damage to infrastructure and disrupted travel for many Kiwis. By launching this service, we're doing all we can to restore vital transportation links between the two regions, support families and friends looking to re-unite and help essential workers get to where they need to be. Flights go on sale tomorrow, 23 February and are available for travel from 26 February to 25 March." The demands of operating Air New Zealand's existing routes out of Gisborne and Napier mean that this service is limited to a daily operation and is made possible because of the current need to reposition an aircraft overnight in Hawke's Bay.  For customers, Air New Zealand has extended flexibility for those booked to travel to/from Gisborne or Napier between 17 February and 26 February 2023. Customers have until 31 March 2023 to change the date of their flight without a change fee, service fee or fare difference applying. Customers can also choose to reroute their flight without facing additional charges provided it's to another domestic destination.  The schedule for the Gisborne - Napier flights between 26 February to 25 March is as follows:

 NZ8477 departing Gisborne @ 7:35pm and arriving in Napier @ 8:05pm

 NZ8478 departing Napier @ 7:30am and arriving in Gisborne @ 8:00am

Source : https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/press-release-2023-air-new-zealand-launches-temporary-gisborne-napier-service

20 February 2023

Chathams' Airport Update


 

Downers recently gave a project update on the Chatham Islands Airport runway extension... For the period 11 to 30 January they reported, 

Since our last update we have:

  • Reinducted all our staff so they’re ready to go!
  • Completed the pre-level paving of the existing runway from the blast pavement at eastern end.
  • Commenced the final wearing course over the relevelling.
  • Completed the security fencing and new gates.
  • Completed the levelling and grass seeding of areas around the taxiways and apron.
  • Completed carting of aggregates from Waitaha quarry.

Upcoming Works - Key construction activity we will be doing:

  • Complete the pre-levelling to the Existing runway.
  • Continuing the final paving of the existing runway
  • We expect to have completed paving in March following our next rotation break.




14 February 2023

At Suva's Nausori Airport

Northern Air's Embraer Bandeirante DQ-NAS taken at Nausori on 11 February 2023

South Pacific Aviation's Cessna 172s DQ-SPA... 

...and DQ-SPS taken at Nausori on 11 February 2023

Piper PA31-30 Navajo N65TT taken DQ-SPA taken at Nausori on 11 February 2023

Northern Air's Britten Norman Islander DQ-FIC taken at Nausori on 11 February 2023. In its previous life DQ-FIC was ZK-KHB with Cook Island Airways.



My ride back to Suva, Fiji Link's ATR 42-600 DQ-FJY arriving into Nausori on 11 February 2023



13 February 2023

En Route


Founded in 2023, Texel Air NZ is a brand-new cargo airline which will be operating Boeing 737-800 aircraft between Australia and New Zealand, providing ACMI and charter services to its clients utilising a world-class fleet of newly converted aircraft. 

The company has set up a website, https://www.texelair.co.nz/, which is currently under construction and will be fully launched over the coming weeks. The airline is currently advertising for pilots and engineers...

Pilots

  • B737NG type rated current First Officers and Captains.
  • Captain: Minimum 5000 total hours, 1000 as PIC on type.
  • First Officer: Minimum 2000 total hours, 1000 on type.

Engineers

  • B1/ B2 engineers must hold 737NG approval
  • Minimum 5 years experience on type with 3 years certifying on type B737CL/NG.
  • Minimum 2 years recency working in a line maintenance type environment on B737

Texel Air's LinkedIn page said the airline was formed in 2013 we are a Bahrain registered airline dedicated to providing ACMI charter & CMI operations to a wide range of customers with diverse consignment requirements. Our B737-300F, B737-700FC and B737-800BCF aircraft provide flexibility & versatility to service the GCC region & beyond. The fleet is maintained from our purpose built Bahrain engineering hangar facility. The hangar was established to provide 24/7 access to support our own & partner operators. MRO clients are supported by experienced licensed aircraft engineers & an extensive range of GSE/tooling & hangar equipment capable of supporting line & base maintenance requirements across B737 & A320 family aircraft.

We hold a Bahrain Air Operators Certificate and BCAA 145 Line & Base Maintenance Approval's, In addition we hold EASA Part-145 Line Approval. Our state of the art Maintenance and Repair Organisation (MRO) facilities support airframe (line and base) services with technical support encompassing engineering, planning and material services. Our MRO services are supported by an experienced and qualified team of licensed engineers, aviation management and technical experts including B1 & B2 engineers.

Texel Air fills a niche market for specialised cargo missions requiring resourceful solutions with consignments delivered to tight deadlines supported by an uncompromised level of customer service. That’s why we like to work with passionate specialists and committed partners, no matter how challenging the cargo requirement is.

Our headquarters are at Bahrain International Airport in our hangar facility which opened in 2014. Being located in the Bahrain, the epicentre of the world’s foremost aviation growth market is one of our key strategic advantages. We have a 100% delivery record across a range of missions handling dangerous goods, live animals (including grooms), fuel and perishable goods throughout the GCC region.


Sources: 

12 February 2023

Masterton's Two Year NAC Service


By late 1965 SPANZ, which had provided Masterton with its first air service, was in serious financial trouble and the announcement was subsequently made that the airline would cease operating on the 28th of March 1966.

Although NAC did not commence flying to Masterton before 1966 their aircraft did visit on occasion, particularly if there was an air show. NAC Douglas DC-3 ZK-AYK is seen here at Masterton for an airshow in 1963. Notice the small windows. When the DC-3s were converted to Skyliner (or Viewmaster) for the SPANZ aircraft larger windows were part of the modification. Photo : Graeme Ayson Collection, Wairarapa Archive

On the 9th of January 1966 the National Airway Corporation announced it would take over SPANZ’s services to Taupo and Masterton in the North Island and Oamaru in the South Island. NAC plan for the new Taupo and Masterton service was to use a Douglas DC-3 aircraft on a daily two-way service between Auckland and Wellington by way of Rotorua, Taupō and Masterton. The Corporation announced that, subject to the approval of the Air Licensing Authority, the service was expected to begin on the 1st of March 1966.

By this stage NAC had already been retiring some of its DC-3 fleet and the decision was made to purchase one of SPANZ’s Douglas DC-3 Viewmasters, ZK-CAW.  

At this time NAC was exploring the feasibility of buying light aircraft to serve New Zealand’s smaller towns. The general-manager of NAC, Mr D. A. Patterson, was reported in the Nelson Evening Mail of the 12th of February 1966 as saying The Corporation expected to finish its investigations and evaluations of suitable light aircraft in three or four months. The Corporation had to plan ahead because its ageing DC-3s would finally be taken out of service in about three years. When the DC-3s were withdrawn, the Corporation would be left with possibly three courses: The corporation could replace the DC-3 fleet with similar aircraft capable of landing on short grass runways; Concrete grass runways to Friendship aircraft standard; Buy light aircraft capable of carrying up to a dozen or more passengers and landing on short grass runways. The grass airports are Masterton, Oamaru, Timaru and Alexandra. Mr Patterson said: "We have always had it in our minds to use light aircraft to towns such as these because the number of passengers carried to and from them is not very heavy:" 

The Press, 12 March 1966

With Rex Daniell, DFC, AFC, one of the founders of SPANZ being a local from Masterton, and not just any local, the Daniell family having deep roots in Masterton and the wider area, SPANZ had received a lot of local support and the town had very much adopted SPANZ as its own. NAC's Masterton air service started on the 1st of March 1966 with a Douglas DC-3 flying the morning southbound Auckland-Rotorua-Taupo-Masterton-Wellington service and the return the northbound service in the afternoon. The Wairarapa Times-Age carried a NAC advertisement for the air service, but apart from that there was no reporting of the new NAC service.


Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1966


ZK-CAW, the Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster NAC purchased from South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand, was flown from Invercargill to NAC's Christchurch engineering facilities on the 1st of March for a maintenance check and repainting in NAC’s DC-3 Skyliner colour scheme. These normally carried a "Skyliner" title on the tail but being a "Viewmaster" ZK-CAW did not wear this title . It entered service the following week. However, ZK-CAW, did not stay in the fleet long. It was registered to National Airways Corporation on the 7th of March 1966, entering service the same day. Just three months later, however, on the 5th of June 1966 the aircraft was cancelled and went to Fiji Airways as VQ-FAI.    

The ex SPANZ Douglas DC-3 Viewmaster, ZK-CAW, George Bolt, in its NAC colours at Masterton in 1966 during its brief stint with NAC. 


The NAC timetable effective the 1st of June was the first NAC timetable to feature Masterton and it shows the connections south to Wellington and north to Auckland via Taupo and Rotorua.

The Masterton's twice daily service in the NAC timetable effective from 1 June 1966



The flight path of the flights through Masterton ... Auckland-Rotorua-Taupo-Masterton-Wellington

There were some interesting features in the timetable. At that time there was only the one flight a day between Auckland and Rotorua. Interestingly the Rotorua to Wellington flights did not include those that operated via Taupo and Masterton were not listed in the NAC timetable. 

On the 22nd of February 1966, just a matter of days before NAC took over the Masterton air service, a Nord 262 visited Masterton on demonstration to NAC and Mount Cook Airlines as a possible DC-3 replacement. The Nord 262, registered F-BLHQ, was a prototype aircraft and had been on an eight month lease with Japan Domestic Airlines while this company waited delivery of the second of three such aircraft. It visited Masterton as part of a multi-nation demonstration tour which saw it visit, the Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia. New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia. South Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India, Nepal. Ceylon, Pakistan,  Afghanistan. Iran and Syria on its way back to France. The Wairarapa Times-Age reported that the Nord 262 was a pressurised turboprop designed to carry 26 to 29 passengers over on sectors up to 500 miles at a cruising speed of about 230 miles an hour. The local paper reported that the Nord made two flights from Hood aerodrome during the afternoon with representatives of local bodies, the Press and radio as passengers. After taxi-ing speedily to the northern end of the runway and heading into the wind, the Nord was airborne within 15 seconds. A cantilever high-wing monoplane, with well-placed windows, the Nord gave its passengers a wide view of a patchwork of brown, and fading green as it cruised smoothly over the central Wairarapa. The Nord 262 was demonstrated to Mount Cook Airlines on the following day and flew from Christchurch to Mount Cook and back. The planned flights to Queenstown and, the following day, to Westport did not happen due to weather.


SPANZ Douglas DC-3 ZK-BYD, Ernest Rutherford, about to board at Masterton on 22 February 1966 as the touted DC-3 replacement, Nord 262 F-BLHQ, taxis in behind. Photo : Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club Collection, Wairarapa Archive


In early August 1966 a report in the Wairarapa "Times-Age" about a possible light aircraft replacement for DC·3s for the Wairarapa air service raised concern at a meeting of the Masterton County Council. It was reported that a twin-engined Piper Aztec was being considered as a possible replacement for the DC-3 and was to make trial, flights from the airport. These flights had been arranged by the Member of Parliament for Wairarapa, Mr H V Donald, in consultation with Mr E. A. Gibson, a former Director of Civil Aviation. "I am surprised,” said Mr F H Bennett, the chairman. "Since the end of the SPANZ service, discussions have been held with NAC officials, who agreed to provide a service to the Wairarapa," he said. "There were talks about the type of plane to be used, and N.A.C. agreed to provide the service. Discussions were held as to the best way this could be given, either by a special light aircraft which NAC were 'investigating', and which was operating in Australia, or by the present DC-3 aircraft." 

What might have been, the Wellington Aero Club's Piper Aztec, ZK-CEU, that was considered as a possible replacement for the Douglas DC-3 and was to make trial flights between Wellington and Masterton


The Times-Age report continues, In later discussions with NAC, at which the Mayor of Masterton, Mr N S Tankersley, and the chairman of the Wairarapa Development Council, Mr R P Wakelin, were present, it was agreed that the NAC's proposal for a feeder service to Masterton using the DC-3 aircraft, should be given a trial. “This is to start on August 19, and no information has been received from NAC that any alteration is anticipated, or that it is proposed to use a charter aircraft from the Wellington Aero Club, their five-seater Aztec.

The DC-3 “feeder service” began on the 19th of August 1966. Masterton’s twice daily DC-3 flights with connections to Wellington and Auckland were reduced to a single daily DC-3 flight which operated from Wellington to Masterton and return around midday. The flight time was 35 minutes each way with a 10 minute turn around time at Masterton.

The Masterton "Feeder Service" shown in the NAC timetable effective from 18 August 1967





In October 1967, in its annual report for the corporation, NAC gave a warning that Oamaru, Westport, Kaikohe and Masterton might lose their NAC service as Friendships took over provincial services thus allowing the retirement of the uneconomic DC-3 aircraft. This would improve the marginal economic balance of unprofitable services.

It was the impending retirement of the DC-3s and the arrival of commuter airline, Sky Travel (NZ), that were the final nails in the coffin for Masterton’s short lived NAC service. The decision was made that two of NAC’s uneconomic routes, Hamilton-Gisborne and Wellington-Masterton were to be handed over to the new airline. Sky Travel (NZ)'s two eight-seat Cessna 402 aircraft arrived in New Zealand at the end of January 1968. 

NAC's DC-3 Skyliner ZK-AOF, Blenheim, operated the final NAC Masterton services on the 18th of February 1968. The flights from and to Wellington were operated under the command of Captain Schlegel and First Officer A  Foley with Miss S W Paterson being the air hostess.

The following day Sky Travel (NZ) commenced operations taking over Masterton's air service. The new airline was to be short-lived and by mid-year the town was without an air service. Despite the best efforts of the town authorities the national carrier was not to return to Masterton for another 40 years. 



A big thanks to Alan Wooller and to Liz Conway from Te Pūranga Kōrero o Wairarapa/Wairarapa Archive for their assistance in preparing this post

07 February 2023

More from Nadi...

A desperation shot from the plane of Nauru Airlines' Boeing 737-300 VH-XNU at Nadi on 4 February 2023. I had hoped we would park next to it... No such luck.

Cessna 208 Grand Caravan DQ-WPG flew in from Pacific Harbour and dropped some passengers off 

As I was boarding my flight to Suva Pacific Island Air's Eurocopter EC130 DQ-GCA arrived at the domestic terminal to pick up some passengers for the Yasawa Islands.

A series of photos through the window of the Twin Otter these were not easy to get and the quality wasn't great. These are the ones that made the cut... Island Hopper's Pacific Aerospace 750XL DQ-FFF

Zenith STOL CH701 DQ-BEK and Aeroprakt Foxbat A22LS DQ-SWI

A sad looking Bandeirante

Island Hoppers' engineless Pacific Aerospace 750XL DQ-KBD


04 February 2023

Fiji Airways Turboprops


In between my flights from Auckland and then on Suva I managed to get a few photos at Nadi today, 4 February 2023


My ride to Suva, Viking Twin Otter DQ-FJQ at Nadi on 4 February 2023

ATR 72-600 DQ-FJX arrived after we boarded. A desperation shot on departure at Nadi on 4 February 2023

ATR 42-600 DQ-FJY arriving on the gate at Nadi on 4 February 2023

Viking Twin Otter DQ-FLA on a training flight at Nadi on 4 February 2023