Originair Adds Hamilton to Network

 

We are excited to announce that from Monday 19 October 2020 Originair will offer direct weekday services between Palmerston North and Hamilton. The new Palmerston North – Hamilton services will depart Palmerston North for Hamilton at 10:50am and depart Hamilton for Palmerston North at 1pm, Monday to Friday. We are also increasing our Nelson – Palmerston North services from eight to fourteen flights per week, with daily return services available Monday to Thursday, and on Sunday, as well as two return services on Friday. Flights for all services are now available via Originair’s booking system at www.originair.co.nz or by calling 0800 380 380. Book early and take advantage of our introductory special fares. “Demand for our services on the Nelson – Palmerston North route has grown and we hope that this extra scheduled frequency will be helpful for travellers accessing the central North Island and for North Island travellers visiting the Top of the South,” says Originair CEO Robert Inglis. In order to ensure our capacity to operate the additional flights we have imported a British Aerospace Jetstream 32EP from Iceland to add to our fleet. “This aircraft is currently being prepared for CAA inspection and entry to service on the New Zealand register,” says Inglis. “This was the last serial number of the J32 series to be built and I believe it is a very good example of the 19-seat type. We look forward to seeing it landing at airports in the Originair livery soon, and to welcoming customers on our new route.”  We are also considering direct Nelson–Hamilton services, so watch this space! 

Source : Originair Press Release

Originair's BAe Jetstream 31 ZK-JSH at Hamilton on 4 August 2020

Hamilton Airport and Nelson’s Originair have reinstated a domestic route dropped by Air New Zealand during the coronavirus alert levels. But level 2 social distancing rules meant the airline might not be able to fill every seat on the aircraft flying between two regional cities. The new partnership will re-establish the Hamilton-Palmerston North route, starting October 19. A flight will depart Palmerston North for Hamilton at 10.50am and then return at 1pm, Monday to Friday. It will be serviced initially by a 19-seat Jetstream aircraft. It will also offer Nelson and Hamilton passengers an option to travel to either city, via a brief stop in Palmerston North. A direct Hamilton-Nelson route is under consideration by Originair. Hamilton Airport Chief Executive Mark Morgan said the new air service will have to follow the Government’s social distancing requirements, like other carriers such as Air New Zealand. Morgan said complying with social distancing rules might not be as simple as just using 50 per cent of the plane’s seating capacity. “It does depend on the mix of passengers, so for example a husband and wife, they are in a bubble together, if a family of four book, they are considered to be a single bubble too. “A group of single people may have to be spaced out so it’s very difficult to make a straight line and say just nine seats [from the Jetsteam’s 19] are available.” Morgan said airlines had become used to booking seats under alert level rules. “I think we need to take a step back and realise that most people would be aware of the environment we are living in now. “Most understand the Government is trying to manage the threat of Covid-19 and social distancing on public transport is required.” Air New Zealand said complying with social distancing rules meant some of its Hamilton to Wellington, and Hamilton to Christchurch services were “immediately at capacity. On that basis, to ensure we cover our operating costs, we won’t be able to offer our lowest lead in fares until social distancing measures are removed.” Hamilton Airport had been operating well under alert level 2 rules and the Government planned to review the status next week. “I hope we move to level 1, from a commercial perspective and for the good of the economy and business, if we can do so safely,” Morgan said. He said the partnership with Originair was good news for the regional economies of Waikato and Manawatu. “I don’t think we can underestimate having an airline launch a new service under our current situation, it is pretty impressive. At the moment we are focusing on Originair, growing its Hamilton to Palmerston North schedule, and looking at a direct route to Nelson in 2021. We are also supporting Air New Zealand to expand its schedules to Wellington and Christchurch.” Originair Chief Executive Robert Inglis said the airline’s initial schedule between Hamilton and Palmerston North represented a “cautious start, in line with challenging times. And the intention is to increase the schedule in late January 2021, dependent on demand from travellers.” Originair hoped to provide two return services Monday to Friday to accommodate same-day business travel. To ensure increased capacity could be met, Originair expanded its fleet, purchasing an additional 19-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 32EP.

Source : https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/122689538/originair-hamilton-airport-prepare-to-restart-regional-passenger-route