Radio NZ had an interview this morning on Fly My Sky's new Whangārei service... You can hear it here: https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018664310/new-airline-to-compete-with-air-nz-on-whangarei-flights
They also posted a news piece
Small airline competes against Air NZ on Whangārei flights
A small Auckland airline is about give Air New Zealand some regional competition by offering cheaper flights to Whangārei. Fly My Sky operates between Auckland and Great Barrier Island and said there was a gap in the market for cheaper flights to Northland. The family-owned arline has operated for 38 years and has four 10-seater Britten-Norman Islander aircraft. The company wanted to expand and Whangārei looked like the perfect place to start, chief executive and co-owner Keith McKenzie said. "We believe that there is not the level of service for the public up there, there are not the number of flights that there are in other parts of New Zealand, and we think there's a niche in there for someone like ourselves to ... offer some alternative services," he said. The flight from Whangārei to Auckland with Air New Zealand takes 35 minutes. Fares can dip as low as $62 for travellers booking weeks ahead, but can be almost as much as a flight to Rarotonga - nearly $400 for a return flight. Fly My Sky fares would start at $99 one way with a 23kg bag, Mr McKenzie said. Overall we will be more than competitive with the current operator." There were gaps in Air New Zealand's Whangārei schedule and Fly My Sky intended to fill them, he said. It planned to begin with two return flights a day from Monday to Friday, but could expand to four if demand was strong. Air New Zealand chief executive Chris Luxon said the national carrier offered a good service to Whangarei and competition was welcome. "It's a really great thing actually, because there's a really vibrant, secondary and smaller airline market in regional New Zealand," Mr Luxon said. Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai was also embracing the competition. The city was growing fast, Air New Zealand flights were often full, and Fly My Sky's 7am flight from Auckland would be especially useful, she predicted. "Some of the DHB specialists from Auckland need to get up here in plenty of time to fill the day with appointments and I'm sure there will be many people who will take advantage of being able to come up, do a full day's business and head away again in the afternoon," Ms Mai said. Fly My Sky's Whangārei service will start on 23 October.
Will be all over before Xmas
ReplyDeleteAw I was really enjoying reading about Saudi Arabia
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ReplyDeleteI think there is potential here. Obviously there is a fan between Air nzs services that can be exploited by fly my sky. I really don't think air nz are going to use heavy handed tactics for it. I really tbh, in they way Luxon worded it above, I really don't think he cares all to that much for a small airline filling in this gap. Whangarie probaly isn't much of a worry. Or losing it for that matter.... not that Fly my sky will out compete then and cause air nz to give up the route due to a price war.. more like... let's let them build up to an extent where. Well we have to replace the Q300 and Whangarie... well.... the ATR 72 can't land there but with Fly my sky doing a wonderful job...Its not going to look all that bad to us when we pull out..
ReplyDeleteThat's just the reading between the lines I get....
The ATR 72 can land at Whangarei, and has done before. However, the aircraft is weight restricted.
DeleteSo is a dash most of summer
DeleteInvest in a caravan or two reduce their fleet of twin engine islanders and Fly my sky will be on their way of being more of a growing airline...
ReplyDeleteRegards to Air NZs Influence in Northland.... would it possibly be a case of building a new airport for Air NZ to service Kerikeri and Whangarei and keep the two airports open for direct flights for Fly my sky and GBA to offer niche filling flights direct to airport for business and strategic needs I.e... doctors and crisis that requires the airforce.
Onerahi is a horrible airport, considering the ample flat land immediately to the North of the township.
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