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3LNZ : Sounds Air made a valient effort to make Westport work with its 9 seat PC12s. Originair are going to use the 18 seat Jetstream. How do you formulate a schedule for what is going to be a different air service?
RI : I think that Sounds Air provided a good service to WSZ but apparently were making losses doing so. Its not possible for us to provide the service frequency they have offered due as you say to the higher seat capacity Jetstream being used. The best we can offer with current demand is six services per week . One significant change we are offering is a peak time Friday and Sunday afternoon service . On the rest of our network these are our most in demand times and this offers close to 4000 seat pa, and we hope it may boost travel numbers to the Coast for weekends away and also for coasters having a weekend in the capital.
3LNZ : Regional connectivity to the main centres is critical for the future of the regional centres. Air fares have risen sharply making cheap fares out of Nelson for Westport people or out of Rotorua for Taupo people harder to come by. How do you change regional perceptions and encourage people to use the local air service rather than opting for the car?
RI : The motor car is the key competitor where there isn’t a water barrier and with current operating costs we can’t compete with this especially for family travel. Unfortunately, just a reality we have to live with as with limited seat capacity aircraft deep discounting is not a viable option.
3LNZ : Regional airlines today are facing numerous challenges. In your opinion, what are the challenges, how might they be overcome and what part does Government need to play?
RI : Cost increases from monopoly suppliers are staggering and have led to high regional air fares. All operators have the issue of no new turbos prop aircraft in production (except ATR s) Until this occurs, we are having to look after the aircraft we have very well. Sounds Air have lobbied Government for support with regional routes that will always be challenging to provide services to however with the current demands on Government funds this doesn’t appear likely which may lead to some regional area eventually not having an air service.
3LNZ : Is the hope of interlining with Air New Zealand a thing of the past or is their hope for regional airlines working with Air New Zealand to ensure an integrated domestic network?
RI : I don’t believe this is an option due to the complexity of Air NZ doing so and issues with alliance partners. With most reservations now made online passenger can generally tailor their travel plans themselves. As you know you can’t even interline between Jetstar and Qantas.
3LNZ : And Westport?
RI : Westport is the classic case of an isolated community that need an air service however with limited travel demand its not possible to provide them with double daily services. ( at least at present ) We hope they offer the crews whitebait sandwiches for lunch at Westport to keep them keen.
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3LNZ : Taking over from Sounds Air's PC12s which offered frequency must have been a challenge?
TA : Yes, but we need to make Westport work. We can't offer the same number of flights with the larger Jetstream. We also had a limited amount of time to work out how to slot Westport into our existing schedule. It will be a different service than what Sounds Air offered but we want to make it work and then we can look at frequency.
3LNZ : How do you advertise your Westport service?
RM : Advertising in Westport is easy. Advertising in Wellington is more difficult - getting people to know that we are flying here and what Buller has to offer. Advertising can be challenging because people tend to look to Air New Zealand first. I am amazed at people flying Air New Zealand from Nelson to Palmerston North via Auckland or Christchurch when we fly direct!
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