2017 has been been a quiet year on the domestic airline front.
I predicted a year of consolidation and for the bigger airlines this proved so. Air New Zealand saw growth on its regional ports. Jetstar didn't expand to any new ports. Sounds Air and Air Chathams quietly continued to well what they do. The big surprise for me was Sunair. You can see my full list of predictions for this year made on 1 January 2017 here
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/crystal-ball-gazing-for-new-year.html
Here are the highlights of what actually happened this year here...
19 January 2017
I predicted a year of consolidation and for the bigger airlines this proved so. Air New Zealand saw growth on its regional ports. Jetstar didn't expand to any new ports. Sounds Air and Air Chathams quietly continued to well what they do. The big surprise for me was Sunair. You can see my full list of predictions for this year made on 1 January 2017 here
http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2017/01/crystal-ball-gazing-for-new-year.html
Here are the highlights of what actually happened this year here...
19 January 2017
Airwork's Fairchild Metro 23s were withdrawn from service. ZK-POE flew the last flight for NZ Post (Express Couriers) on Thursday the 19th of January as POST91/92 from Auckland to Palmerston North and return. Both Metro 23s were sold to Air Chathams late in the year.
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| Fairchild Metroliner 23 ZK-POE at Auckland on 7 October 2014 |
21 January 2017
Air Milford commenced a scheduled weekly flight between Queenstown and Te Anau's Manapouri Airport. The first flight was flown by Antony Sproull in Cessna Caravan ZK-SKA. A second Caravan, ZK-SKB, was also needed for the return flight. The summer service ended around Easter and has not been picked up for the 2017/2018 summer.
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| Cessna Grand Caravans ZK-SKM and ZK-SKB at Manapouri |
6 February 2017
3 April 2017
Air Chathams purchase a second ex Air Freight (NZ) Convair 580 freighter, ZK-KFH, to join ZK-KFL for pure freight operations.
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| The two Air Chathams' freighters ZK-KFH and ZK-KFL at Auckland on 10 September 2017 |
3 April 2017
Sunair returned to Whangarei with daily flights offered to and from Great Barrier Island and Monday to Friday services to Hamilton, Tauranga or Rotorua.
30 June 2017
Originair resumed Jetstream operations. Flights were operated are air2there on behalf of Originair. Up to this point air2there had been operating Originair's flights with their own aircraft.
8 September 2017
The Civil Aviation Authority grounded Sunair. The airline remains grounded. From what I have managed to glean Sunair have been really hard done by. Authority, in whatever field, always needs to be exercised wisely and well. Again, in whatever field, if Authority does not "work with" people or companies, constructively and realistically it becomes about power. That's how breakdown in communication happens. When that happens it is not good for safety or viability.
Originair commenced flights between Nelson and New Plymouth. The airline operates four flights a week between the two centres.
Air Chathams announced the purchase of two Saab 340s.
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| Some of Sunair's grounded Piper Aztecs at Tauranga on 29 October 2017 |
29 September 2017
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| Originair BAe Jetstream 32 ZK-JSH at Nelson on 18 December 2017 |
20 October 2017
Air Chathams purchased the two ex-Airwork Fairchild SA227-CC Metro 23s, ZK-POE and ZK-POF
20 December 2017
21 December 2017
The 3rd Level NZ blog clocked over a million hits. Thanks to all who have supported the blog in providing photos, info, comments, encouragement and by following the blog.
29 December 2017
Sounds Air ends its Blenheim to Kaikoura service after the reopening of State Highway One north of Kaikoura.
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| Sounds Air's Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-PDM at Kaikoura on a scheduled service on 23 February 2017 |
Awesome work Steve! Please keep doing what you do in 2018 and beyond because a great deal of people greatly appreciate your work!! It is fantastic!
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