A Black Day in Nelson

It was a black day yesterday in Nelson, as Air New Zealand reintroduced its new Nelson-Palmerston North service.

 

Warwick Young captured the threatening black sky as well as two of Air New Zealand Link's black aircraft - Mount Cook Airline's ATR 72-600 ZK-MVA doing the weekday afternoon service from and to Auckland and Beech 1900D ZK-EAK departing Nelson on the afternoon service for Palmerston North.

 

 

The morning sectors were operated for the first day by the other black Beech ZK-EAG with ZK-EAK flying the afternoon sectors.
 

Air New Zealand is trialling the daily service between Nelson and Palmerston North which was last operated by the airline between the 26^th of April 2006  and the 24th of December 2008. "This time the schedule is better with two return services per day in primetime as well as one return service on Sundays.

 

Thanks for the pics Warwick!

Big News from Sounds Air...

... but not just yet....

 

Check out their Facebook site... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sounds-Air/163437843717606?fref=ts

 

Meanwhile Salt Air's Grand Caravan that was registered to Sounds Air on the 15th of May was re-registered as ZK-SAY on the 10th of July.

 

What I also didn't realise was Sounds Air's Cessna Caravan ZK-TZR was re-registered ZK-SAN on the 28th of June while Cessna 172 ZK-SAN was re-registered ZK-TZR on the same day. The 172 has subsequently been registered to Taupo based Izard Pacific Aviation.

New Air NZ Link Domestic Route

 

Air New Zealand is expanding its services to and from the Kapiti Coast, with a new daily direct service between Paraparaumu and Christchurch from November and a special early bird fare to celebrate. The new service will be operated by Air New Zealand subsidiary Air Nelson and provide more than 36,000 direct seats a year between the two regions. Air New Zealand is offering a special launch fare of $59 one way for travel until 18 December. Air Nelson General Manager Darin Stringer says “110,000 people live within Kapiti Coast Airport’s catchment area and market research has demonstrated clear demand for additional connections from Kapiti Coast Airport.  When surveyed, more locals nominated Christchurch as the next destination of choice than all other possible destinations combined.” Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Jim Boult says “This new service is a positive sign for the recovery of Christchurch and Canterbury and offers a connection we know people have been asking for.  We congratulate Air New Zealand on this initiative, which will be well received by travellers in both directions.” Kapiti Coast Airport owner Sir Noel Robinson describes the announcement as a huge milestone for Kapiti Coast residents and the wider catchment area. “To be announcing another direct service less than two years after the airport opened is very exciting.  This new service will conveniently connect two provincial areas without the need for a road journey between Paraparaumu and Wellington.  With Wellington Airport becoming increasingly congested, business and leisure travellers beginning their journey at Paraparaumu are able to enjoy a more efficient and relaxing experience.” The new service will offer a morning departure from the Kapiti Coast Monday to Saturday with a returning service from Christchurch in the afternoon, plus a return service on Sunday afternoons. Air New Zealand currently operates up to three services a day between Kapiti Coast Airport and Auckland.

 

Source : Air New Zealand Media Release

"Air New Zealand currently operates up to three services a day between Kapiti Coast Airport and Auckland." The introduction of the Christchurch flight will reduce this to two flights a day.
 

Now how about a Masterton-Christchurch service using the Hokitika Beech in the middle of the day???

Q300s for Whangarei Officially Announced

 

 

Larger aircraft starting to operate from Whangarei Airport next month should reduce the risk of passengers being dumped off flights into the airport in wet weather. Air New Zealand announced yesterday it will start using larger, 50-seat Bombardier Q300 aircraft for some flights to and from Whangarei Airport from August 12, a move it hopes will overcome issues caused by new operating requirements at the airport. The new Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) flight restriction that came into effect on June 1 sees passengers kicked off flights in wet weather so that planes can land on the runway. CAA says Eagle Air's Beech 1900 aircraft have to approach the airport runway at a height of 50 feet, up from the 35 feet restriction that had been used at the airport for many years. Beech aircraft now have to land further down the runway, so when it's wet, or there's no headwind, the planes need a lighter landing weight to make sure they can stop in time. CAA says the action has been taken as an interim measure while an updated risk assessment is undertaken at Whangarei Airport and says it's not a safety issue. But the restriction has raised the ire of passengers dumped from flights, Whangarei District Council and Whangarei MP Phil Heatley among others. Yesterday Air NZ, which runs Eagle Air, said some flights between Auckland and Whangarei will be on the larger Bombardier Q300 aircraft from August 12 to help overcome issues created by changes to the operating requirements at Whangarei Airport. "New CAA requirements impacting Whangarei Airport mean that in some weather conditions Air NZ's subsidiary Eagle Air is unable to operate its current 19- seater Beech aircraft into Whangarei with a full complement of passengers ..." Eagle Air general manager Sarah Williamson said. "Next month Air New Zealand will replace four of the current six daily return services between Auckland and Whangarei with two daily Q300 return services. "The result will be the addition of 48 extra seats to this sector every day and a more reliable customer experience." The two remaining daily services will continue to be operated by Beech aircraft.

 

Source : http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/move-to-bigger-aircraft/1937626/ 

Another Tahiti flight...

Air Tahiti Nui will boost its Auckland to Tahiti and Los Angeles flights from the 10th of December 2013 when the airline will add a Tuesday afternoon Auckland to Papeete service, in addition to its Thursday and Sunday flights. This will bring the total weekly services to Tahiti to five; three operated by Air Tahiti Nui and two operated by air New Zealand which are flown by a Boeing 767-300 and Boeing 777-200. The two airlines codeshare on each others flights.

For the full article see : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10896082

China Southern Boeing 787s to Auckland

Auckland will see China Southern's Boeing 787s in its skies over the coming summer. From the 4th of December 2013 until the 1st of March 2014 the airline will operate three Boeing 787 services a week between Guangzhou and Auckland. These flights are in addition to  the airline's daily Airbus 330 flights. The 787 flights will depart Guangzhou on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday afternoons arriving in Auckland at 7.00am the following day.  The return northbound services will depart Auckland on Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10.00am.

Bring back Chathams Pacific

The latest chapter in the Tongan Government's dabbling in aviation... After the Princess Ashika sinking you would have thought safety would be paramount! Check out TVNZ's report on the aircraft and NZ Government warning...

http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/warning-over-tonga-s-domestic-aircraft-video-5502135

 

Meanwhile the Tongan Government's position is outlined in Matangi Tonga... Some edited highlights...

 

"The aircraft is safe," said Tonga's Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu, who sought the aircraft from China. In an emotional speech he said that it was the first of its type in the region but, "It is sad that the United States even New Zealand have not accepted this aircraft."

 

The Tongan government as the owner of the aircraft has to insure it and, "we have a few things to do before we start the service to our people." Hon Vaipulu said he dreamed of acquiring more planes. "Currently, there are talks, negotiations on getting two more Y12 aircraft to service the Niuas and 'Eua and also to help Tonga Defence Service on surveillance of our waters. … and I am sure Tonga would use jets domestically in the very near future."

 

For the full article see...

http://matangitonga.to/2013/07/08/chinese-government-gifts-ma60-aircraft-fuaamotu-hand-over

Tasman Cargo Airlines - the Express Trans-Tasman Air Freighter

 

UPDATED JULY 2024

On four nights each week, and on Saturday mornings, Tasman Cargo Airlines’ Boeing 757 flies across the Tasman from Auckland to Sydney and return on behalf of DHL as well as horse-transport customers and a variety of local freight forwarders. Tasman Cargo Airlines Pty Ltd is an Australian registered airline but bases its only aircraft at Auckland.

Prior to July 1991 DHL had moved its air freight between Auckland and Sydney by purchasing air freight space on other carrier’s flights. 

On the 16th of July 1991 DHL launched its own dedicated Trans-Tasman overnight air freight service from Sydney to Auckland and return. The first service was operated by Pel Air’s IAI Westwind VH-AJS. The Westwind carried anywhere from 300 to 600kgs each night and the service was immediately successful necessitating a larger aircraft.

For a photo of the IAI Westwind see : 
https://aviation-safety.net/photos/displayphoto.php?id=19950427-0&vnr=1&kind=PC

Boeing 727-77C VH-TBS (c/n 20278-768) which was owned by Rothchild Aircraft Leasing but leased to and operated by National Jet Systems was hired. This first 727 was capable of flying eight tonnes of air cargo across the Tasman. Connecting services were flown to Sydney from Melbourne using Metroliners and from Brisbane using Mitsubishi Mu2, VH-MUG. 

For a photo of VH-TBS in DHL scheme see : 
http://www.airliners.net/photo/DHL-(Premier-Airlines)/Boeing-727-77C/1511922/L/  

In early 1993 the operations base was moved from Sydney to Auckland with the aircraft flying an Auckland-Sydney-Auckland pattern. On the 3rd of September 1992 the 727 was leased to Qantas who operated the service for two years with the aircraft based in Sydney and once again flying a Sydney-Auckland-Sydney pattern of overnight freight services. About the same time the Boeing was repainted in full DHL colours.

On the 5th of September 1994 Premier Airlines took over operating the service with the aircraft again being based at Auckland. Premier continued to operate the Boeing 727 VH-TBS until the 30th of March 1995. As an interim replacement for the 727 an American airline, Air Transport International LLC, was chartered to operate the service using a McDonnell-Douglas DC-8-62F, N735PL (c/n 46153). The DC-8 flew the Tasman three times a week, westbound on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons and eastbound on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Premier Airlines ultimately replaced the original 100 series Boeing 727 with a larger 200 series, Boeing 727-2J4, VH-DHE (c/n 22080-1598). This staged through Auckland on delivery to Sydney on 3 June 1995 having crossed the Pacific from Los Angeles via Honolulu and Apia.

For a photo of VH-DHE in its original DHL scheme see : 
http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=25554&nseq=124
  

Shortly after DHL and Ansett Air Freight entered an agreement to share capacity on the trans-Tasman flights. This arrangement lasted for two years after which Ansett leased a Boeing 727 from Kitty Hawk Air Cargo of Dallas, Texas for their own use.

Premier Airlines was renamed Asian Express Airlines on the 22nd of November 1996. In many ways the operation of the DHL trans-Tasman freight service goes unnoticed. With only having one aircraft in the fleet replacements have to be sought while the aircraft is on extended maintenance. In the past these have included aircraft from Pel-Air, Polynesian Airlines, Air Transport International, Transmile Air Services and HeavyLift Cargo Airlines. On one of these extended checks during the quieter post-Christmas period of 1999-2000 VH-DHE’s engines received hush kit modifications to meet with stricter noise restrictions. Over the 2002-2003 Christmas period the 727 was repainted in the new yellow and red DHL livery.

Tasman Cargo Airlines' Boeing 727-200 VH-DHE in the new colour scheme in Auckland on 15 May 2009



While the mainstay of the operation is the trans-Tasman service the company has also operated other services. From 2000 through to late 2002 the airline also operated a weekly service from Auckland to Noumea for Aircalin. However the carrier continues to operate ad hoc charter services between Auckland and Noumea, with a flight having operated the route last month on 4 June 2013. With the major emphasis of the company’s operation being the Auckland-Sydney service the Asian Express Airlines was renamed Tasman Cargo Airlines on the 1st of October 2008 reflecting this focus.

From the 1st of September 2010 changes to the Australian Federal Government’s noise regulations banned “marginally noise-compliant” older hush-kitted aircraft from Australian airspace. This brought about the retirement of Boeing 727 VH-DHE which operated its final Tasman Cargo Airlines’ service on the night of 31st of August 2010.

Initially replacing the 727 was a wet leased 757-200 Freighter G‑BMRJ (c/n 24268/214) which was wet-leased from DHL Air (UK) Ltd. The new 757 offered an additional capacity of 15 tonnes per flight, giving a total payload of 35 tonnes. At the same time the frequency was increased with a fifth weekly service being added to the schedule. The 757 was also described as being 25 percent more fuel efficient, significantly quieter and emitting less greenhouse gases.

Leased from DHL Air (UK) Ltd, Boeing 757 G-BMRJ on approach to Auckland on 6 February 2011

Tasman Cargo Airlines' timetable in 2013

Tasman Cargo Airlines’ own Boeing 757, G-CSVS, arrived in New Zealand on the 14th of August 2011.

Arriving back from Noumea, G-CSVS at Auckland on 12 May 2013

 

The changing of the guard... Tasman Cargo Airlines' new Boeing 757, G-CSVS in the foreground while behind is the leased G-BMRJ. Photo supplied

A look inside the new Boeing 757 G-CSVS. Photos supplied

Arriving back from Noumea, G-CSVS at Auckland on 12 May 2013

 

 
In 2012, Tasman Cargo's Boeing 757 operated a horse charter between Auckland and Perth direct, the company's longest direct charter flight to date. On the 3rd of July 2013 the 757 was placed on the Australian aircraft register as VH-TCA and it continued to fly Tasman Cargo Airlines' service to Sydney until July 2018. 

Wearing its Australian registration... Tasman Cargo Airlines' Boeing 757 VH-TCA taxis for departure for Sydney from Auckland on 3 August 2013

Caught while I was on take off, the VH-TCA with Rugby World Cup advertising at Auckland on 30th of November 2015

Featuring Jeremy Clarkson on the tail VH-TCA was used to promote the TV series "The Grand Tour" for which DHL was the official logistics partner. It is seen here arriving back into Auckland on 11 November 2017. 

On the 7th of July 2018 DHL Air's Boeing 767-3JHF(ER)(WL) G-DHLH commenced operations for Tasman Cargo Airlines while the company's Boeing 757 freighter VH-TCA was in Singapore for major maintenance.

Wearing its British registration, the Boeing 767-300 G-DHLH on its first day of operation, 7 July 2018 at Auckland.

During this time the Boeing 767 was purchased by Tasman Cargo Airlines and it was placed on the Australian register as VH-EXZ operating its first flights as such on the 26th of September 2018.

Wearing its Australian registration, the Boeing 67-300 VH-EXZ arrives back into Auckland from Brisbane on 30 December 2018

The dedicated freighters used by Tasman Cargo Airlines and its predecessors have proved to be ideal aircraft for trans-Tasman trade. The company’s website say they have offered “the flexibility to not only carry courier freight, but oversized cargo, (such as helicopter blades) various type of animals and livestock including horses, cattle, lama's, alpaca's, sheep and goats, the airline has also transported music bands stage and sound equipment, as well as perishable fish and fruit, plus a wide range of dangerous goods not accepted by commercial carriers.” As the business has grown so have the aircraft with Tasman Cargo Airlines moving into wide-body operations. A 767 is certainly a big step up from a Westwind!

Tasman Cargo Airlines' Boeing 767-300 VH-EXZ at Auckland on 2 March 2019

Operating TASMAN 1 to Sydney, Tasman Cargo Airlines' Boeing 767-300 VH-EXZ taxis at Auckland on 6 June 2020

 

Tasman Cargo Airlines' Boeing 767-300 VH-EZX - at Auckland on 3 April 2022

On the 17th of October 2022 a second Boeing 767-300F was placed on the Australian civil aircraft register as being operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines in the form of Boeing 767-3JHF VH-XQU.  The additional aircraft enabled the launch of a new five weekly Melbourne-Singapore service. 

From the 21st of April 2024 Auckland-Christchurch flights began with VH-XQU having operated TASMAN 2 from Sydney to Auckland and on to Christchurch. The freighter departed Sydney late morning and arrived in Auckland later in the afternoon before operating the first Auckland-Christchurch on the evening of the 21st as TASMAN 2 and the return TASMAN 1 on the early evening of the 22nd before continuing on to Sydney.

While Tasman Cargo have used other Boeing 767 freighters these have not operated to Auckland. However, on the 5th of June 2024 a third Boeing 767-300F was registered to Tasman Cargo Airlines with Boeing 767-3JHF VH-FKX being added to the fleet that day. It operated its first flights into Auckland, a return service from Melbourne on the 19th of June 2024, operating as TASMAN 8 to Auckland and TASMAN 9 back to Melbourne.

OJA and OXA

Runway 29 was in use at Christchurch today, the 6th of July 2013... It gave a good opportunity to see the differences in the shape and colour scheme of Air New Zealand's Airbuses, with ZK-OJA in the old blue and teal scheme and ZK-OXA in the new black and white scheme with the sharklet wing tips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is anyone at home at Air New Zealand Link and the CAA?

 

 

What is going on at Air New Zealand Link and the CAA??? On the 29th of June the Northern Advocate headlined that "Heavy Planes Can't Land in the Wet" at Whangarei (http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/heavy-planes-cant-land-in-wet/1926336/) resulting in maximum passenger loads being decreased from 19 to 12! Obviously Whangarei people would be concerned.

 

On the 1st of July someone posted on my blog that from the 12th of August Q300s will be introduced to Whangarei. Checking out the Air NZ reservation system it shows that from that date Whangarei will get two Q300 and 2 Beech 1900 flights to Auckland each day as well as the direct Beech 1900 to Wellington.

 

But it seems no one has told the Northern Advocate...

 

Yesterday Whangarei Tourism Development Group chairman and Whangarei District Council member Jeroen Jongejans was reported as saying he wanted issues stopping fully laden planes landing at Whangarei Airport in wet weather resolved urgently to prevent irreparable damage being done to the district's reputation (see http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/urgent-call-to-sort-out-plane-debacle/1932540/). And today MP Phil Heatley is reported as asking Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee what's changed at Whangarei Airport that has led to new flight restrictions resulting in passengers kicked off planes if it's raining. (see http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/mp-attacks-flight-safety-rules/1934050/)

 

I must admit I don't really understand what is going on... The newspaper reports states "CAA's instruction says Eagle Air's Beech 1900 aircraft have to approach the airport runway at a height of 50 feet, up from the 35-feet restriction that had been used at the airport for years." Maybe some in the know can explain what that means.

 

It don't understand the logic of this either - "Beech aircraft now have to land further down the runway so when it's wet, or there's no headwind, the planes need a lighter landing weight to make sure they can stop in time."

"CAA says the action has been taken as an interim measure while an updated risk assessment is undertaken at Whangarei Airport, and says it's not a safety issue." The Beeches have been operating in their for over 10 years - why is there suddenly the problem? And if it is a problem, why did Air NZ Link not change their schedules from 1 June?

 

However, I am just an arm chair observer! I'm sure there are great minds being engaged on this. But surely, a simple bit of PR wouldn't have hurt! 

 

Surely, however, this couldn't have just jumped overnight???

 

Southern Hospital Flights

 

An internal report's recommendation to increase chartered flights between Invercargill and Dunedin to cope with increased travel demands was declined because of cost, the Southern District Health Board says. The board is implementing the report's other recommendations. Released under the Official Information Act, the report said increasing the number of flights would reduce the need for long road trips. At present, there is one weekly return flight from Dunedin to Invercargill. There are also two monthly flights, and one fortnightly.  ''The advent of the Southern DHB becoming more unified has meant an increase in staff travel across the district as part of normal duties. Consequently, there is an increased demand placed on the current travel options of both plane and car ... and some challenges associated with the increased demand,'' the report said. Staff submissions last year revealed safety concerns because of increased demand for road travel, which the board said it would address in the internal travel review. ''As the move towards district-wide services has progressed, there is increased travel by all staff groups travelling to and from either site ... The increase in travel has also meant an increased demand on flights; where previously the plane would not be fully utilised, [it] is now regularly fully booked,'' the report said. Mainland Air is the board's service provider and uses either a nine-seater Piper Chieftain or a six-seater Piper Seneca. Costs were deleted from the report because of commercial sensitivity. Use of the plane was traditionally low, and usually by senior clinicians and other senior staff. Because it was now more widely used, the booking system needed to be overhauled. ''Now that there is increased demand for the plane from all services and all staff groups, there have been booking inconsistencies, creating issues for those travelling.'' The report also looked at airport shuttle services and found there was one in Southland but not in Dunedin. This meant if staff did not have a vehicle parked near Dunedin International Airport, they had to catch a ride with other staff, or a taxi at the board's expense. Travel by car was still the main mode of transport. Dunedin and Invercargill had separate car pools and staff could use only cars attached to their work site. This created inflexibility and times when vehicles sat idle at other sites, unable to be used by the staff who worked there. The report suggested adding another Invercargill to Dunedin trip and a second return flight on a different day of the week. Patient services executive director Lexie O'Shea, through a spokeswoman, said flights would not be added, due to cost. As a result of the review, the board was centralising car and plane bookings to a Southern DHB-wide service, establishing clearer criteria for plane travel, and introducing a Dunedin airport shuttle service and guidelines to assist staff if their flight was cancelled.

 

Source : http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/257476/proposal-more-charter-flights-fails-take 

Icy Invercargill

I have had a quick trip to Invercargill for work this week... Sadly nothing too exciting and no sign of Stewart Island Flights' Islanders...

A surprise visitor was Air West Coast's Piper Chieftain ZK-VIP which I caught on arrival to warm sunshine on 2 July 2013 

After a very wet and cold 3 July standing at the fence line today, 4 July 2013, wasn't much warmer... For my efforts I caught Southern Wings' Alpha R2160s ZK-SWY and ZK-SWZ...

My ride home was Mount Cook Airline's ATR72-500 ZK-MCU while the All Black ATR72-600 ZK-MVA was doing the previous flight.

A few from Christchurch

Mount Cook Airline's latest ATR72-600 ZK-MVC landing at Christchurch on 30 June 2013

A late arrival... Emirates' Boeing 777-300 A6-ECT on 29 June 2013

Mount Cook Airline's ATR72-600 ZK-MVB on approach at Christchurch on 29 June 2013

Virgin Australia's Boeing 737-800 ZK-PBA on 29 June 2013

Whangarei Airport Problems Raise Questions on Eagle's Service

 

 

New flight restrictions for Whangarei Airport are leading to passengers being kicked off flights in wet weather so planes can land on the runway.  The situation - which has been in place since the start of June - resulted in 10 people being dumped from a flight from Auckland last Thursday and taken by van to Whangarei while their luggage went on the plane. Four of the 10 spoken to by the Northern Advocate were furious they had been removed from the flight and asked why Air New Zealand - which runs Eagle Air flights at the airport - could not have said when they bought their tickets that there was a real risk of them having to go by road if it rained. Whangarei Age Concern president Beryl Wilkinson said she had been made to take a bus from Auckland instead of flying three times in the past two weeks, on one occasion not getting back until well after midnight. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued an instruction that from June 1 Eagle Air's Beech 1900 aircraft would have to approach the airport runway at a height of 50 feet, up from the 35-foot restriction that had been used at the airport for many years. Beech aircraft now have to land further down the runway, so when it's wet, or there is no headwind, the planes need to have a lighter landing weight so they can stop in time. The CAA said the action had been taken as an interim measure while an updated risk assessment was undertaken at Whangarei Airport. While it was not a safety issue, no date was set for ending the restriction. Whangarei District Council chief executive officer Mark Simpson said rumours that the runway was too short were wrong. It was lengthened and resurfaced four years ago to take larger Bombardier Q300 planes which could take 50 passengers, had different landing characteristics and could use the airport. He said Air NZ was talking to CAA to see if the height restrictions could be changed. An Eagle Air spokesman said the effect of the CAA instruction meant that, in wet weather, the maximum weight the aircraft could carry into Whangarei was reduced. "In practical terms, this means some wet-weather flying between Auckland and Whangarei has recently been replaced with a coach service. Where this has occurred, passengers have received disruption compensation and the opportunity to reschedule their travel," the spokesman said. Eagle Air had put measures in place to reduce the total number of seats available to be sold on flights between Auckland to Whangarei from 19 to 12 or fewer to reduce the likelihood of passengers being inconvenienced, but that was not possible where the flight was already fully booked. But the situation has left some passengers irate and several vowing not to fly from Whangarei Airport again. The 10 kicked off last Thursday were due to fly on the 12.25pm flight, but as they were due to board their Eagle Air flight they were told they had to go by van instead. One of them, Andrea Nixon, said Air NZ should inform passengers when they booked tickets that there was a real risk they could be off the flight if it rained. "If they had told us in advance we could have to get a van instead, we could make the informed decision whether to just go by car to ensure we get where we want to go at the time we need to be there at," she said. "They have known since the start of June that this is a possibility but when we are booking our tickets they don't tell us that we might not get on the plane if it's raining." Mrs Nixon said if their investors were coming to Whangarei, but were told they couldn't fly into the airport because of rain it would make the district look like a backwater. A businessman also in the van, who did not want to be named, said he would not fly from Whangarei Airport again. "I'll drive to Auckland from now on so I can be sure to get back on time. And it will be far less hassle," he said.

 

Source : http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/heavy-planes-cant-land-in-wet/1926336/