The end of an era

While wasting time on the internet the other night I noted the normal Sunair courier flight from Napier to Hamilton wasn't showing... A bit more digging and I couldn't find the flight operating at all in recent weeks. In the light of a few inquiries it appears that the contract to fly bank data between Gisborne and Napier Air Napier and from Napier to Hamilton on Sunair ended on 22 May 2015. This freight is now carried on Air New Zealand flights. 

In effect the only regular flight not operated was the regular Sunair Napier-Hamilton evening courier service. This flight does, however, still operate when passengers are offering. One wonders if there will be an increase in numbers on this service when Air NZ pull out of the Hamilton-Auckland sector meaning anyone wanting to fly between Hamilton and Napier on the national carrier will have to fly via Wellington.

Air Napier meanwhile still have other freight and mail contracts and continue to operate their Napier-Wairoa-Gisborne route. 

Nonetheless this ends the era of bank courier flights that were once quite prolific throughout the country going way back to the days of Mercury Air Couriers and Akarana Air. Over the years many a young pilot built up his or her hours on these flights. So another chapter of NZ's airline history closes... 

For a pictorial post on Air Napier's Gisborne-Wairoa-Napier courier service see...

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/air-napiers-east-coast-express.html


For a pictorial post on Sunair's Napier to Hamilton courier service see...

http://3rdlevelnz.blogspot.co.nz/2011/11/trip-on-sunair.html

GBA's Caravan on the Way

Posted on the Great Barrier Airlines' Facebook page yesterday was this photo of Cessna 208BGrand Caravan N988BA (c/n 208B2089). The 2009 model Caravan "comes with all the bells and whistles!" Their Facebook page also says the "Caravan is now on the move to New Zealand. We are tracking her movements at present she is on route from Las Vegas to Auckland New Zealand we will update you on her progress."

Additional Westport Service

Sounds Air have made a slight change to their Westport service... Previously on Friday evenings a Westport-Blenheim service was operated with the return flying on Sunday afternoon. This enabled the pilots to get home for the weekend. These services have now been replaced by an early morning Westport-Wellington service with the return on Sunday afternoons which is a lot better schedule for Westport people. The new schedule also helps with Sounds Air's rosters and the flight to Wellington makes it easier to get the aircraft to Avcraft  in Feilding when maintenance is required.

Yet to enter service, Pilatus PC12 ZK-PLT

Meanwhile Pilatus PC12 ZK-PLT which is painted up in full Sounds Air's colours is in Fielding being brought up to the same standard as the other two PC12s, ZK-PLS and ZK-PLZ. It is due to enter service at the end of August.

Sounds Air's general manager Andrew Crawford reports "Reaction has been fantastic, we are getting very positive feedback from Westport and Taupo services. Numbers are good and building all the time."

The two PC-12s in service... Above, ZK-PLS at Westport and below ZK-PLZ at Taupo

New Whakatane Timetable

Air Chathams' is adjusting its Whakatane timetable from 27 July as previously noted on this blog. The new schedule introduces a late morning Whakatane-Auckland service and a mid afternoon return. In addition the morning flight to Auckland leaves earlier and the evening return flight will leave later giving people more time in Auckland for business as well as those connecting at Auckland to other domestic centres. It looks a much improved schedule Air Chats! I like it!

Whakatane - Auckland Arrival & Departure Times - Effective 27 July 2015

Important Update: Please note: this revised timetable will be effective from 27 July 2015. The reservations system is being progressively updated and will be published in the next few days.

Departure	Arrival	Days Operated
6:45am	07:30am	Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fri
11:00am	11:45am	Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fri
4:45pm	5:30pm	Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fri
8:00am	8:45am	Sa
11:00am	11:45am	Sa
4:45pm	5:30pm	Su

Auckland - Whakatane Arrival & Departure Times - Effective 27 July 2015

Departure	Arrival	Days Operated
8:15am	9:00am	Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fri
3:00pm	3:45pm	Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fri
6:50pm	7:35pm	Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fri
9:30am	10:15am	Sa
3:00pm	3:45pm	Su
6:15pm	7:00pm	Su

Let's fly to Gisborne!

Tapping into Air New Zealand’s “massive” marketing machine offers the prospect of an extra 17,000 visitors, which could create around 80 new jobs and generate $12 million in regional value, says Deputy Mayor Rehette Stoltz. Overturning a decision made a month ago, Gisborne District councillors have now voted to spend $150,000 on an Air NZ campaign to push Gisborne as a destination. Previously voted down by a narrow margin of seven votes to six, the proposal was yesterday tabled once more after the Deputy Mayor acquired the signatures necessary for the proposal to be debated again. It appeared to be more palatable in its new form. Mrs Stoltz said the funding would be “up to” $50,000 a year for the next three years, rather than a flat rate of $150,000. The funds would be administered by the Activate Tairawhiti business unit, which “is only asking us to earmark the $50,000 for the marketing promotion”. “This is a match-funding arrangement. If Air New Zealand does not put in the money, then we do not put in the money,” she said. The Air NZ campaign will focus on the Gisborne-Wellington route, on which seating capacity will more than double when Q300s take to the air in August next year. “There is a risk involved for all of us in not supporting this — if we cannot get bums on seats we risk losing that air link,” Mrs Stoltz said. “What’s more, if we tap into Air New Zealand’s massive marketing, we will have the power to help change the game with an extra 17,000 visitors, which would mean up to 80 new jobs and $12 million in regional revenue.” The initiative has the backing of the business community, Gisborne Chamber of Commerce putting its hand in its pocket to the tune of $10,000, while The Gisborne Herald has offered $10,000 of in-kind advertising. The spin-off could mean more than extra passenger numbers, Mrs Stoltz said. It was an opportunity to use the market to help change some people’s “not-so-good” views of Gisborne, she said. “Gisborne needs to stay competitive with other regional centres. This offers a much-needed injection of energy into our region.” Though convinced that the threat of losing the air link was “utter rubbish”, councillor Roger Haisman agreed the perception was important. “The reality is that small planes fly to smaller regions while big planes fly to bigger regions,” he said. “What we need to ask ourselves is ‘do we want to be a smaller centre or do we want to be a bigger centre?’.” Supporting the campaign acknowledged Gisborne’s distinctive geographical location, said Amber Dunn. “We have to be a partner in this. We are a destination, we are unique. We don’t have rail, we cannot rely on our roads, so let’s help our airline.” The campaign will likely be rolled out towards the middle of next year in preparation for the launch of the 50-seater Q300s on the Gisborne-Wellington route, replacing the existing 19-seat Beech aircraft.

Source : http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=42125

My sister wants to see HLZ-CHC

Decision-makers remain tight-lipped about whether ratepayers will need to open their wallets in order to lure domestic Jetstar services to Hamilton International Airport. Hamilton is in the ring with six other cities in a move Jetstar has announced that will see it fly to regional destinations from December. However when asked whether the city would need to put money into the service, head of New Zealand Jetstar, Grant Kerr, simply said partnerships were being discussed. "From Jetstar's perspective costs obviously are a key point for us, so it's how we can create a relationship and a partnership - so what does that really look like? So that's what we're discussing today as well." While the city will have to wait until September to learn if Jetstar will service Hamilton, Jetstar leaders met with city leaders on Monday to talk business. Kerr said, for the city to secure the service, it must convince Jetstar that Hamilton had sufficient growth and demand. "The key reason to come to Hamilton for Jetstar would be to bring growth, so bringing the opportunity for people to travel more frequently at lower cost." The money question was also side-stepped by Kiri Goulter, chief executive of Hamilton Waikato Tourism, who said it would be "fabulous to have a partnership of some sort" with Jetstar. HWT recently secured an extra $405,000 from seven council funding partners. "The focus of the additional funding is to grow our domestic market, so connectivity, and airline activity will play a part in that. Secondly it's to grow the business and events sector, so once again connectivity, capacity will play a part in helping to support that. Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said she felt the city had sufficient growth to make domestic routes viable for the airline, with a growing tourism market and strong business sector. "Jetstar is telling us what they're looking for is growth and consumer demand ... and I think we can put that case together pretty well. "If we get Jetstar across the line, that would be a good outcome for not only business visitors, but mums,dads and students travelling around the country." The rate-payer owned airport still retains the word International in its name despite the fact no carriers leave our shores from its terminal. In recent years, Jetstar has operated flights to Australia from Hamilton, but Kerr said the prospect of international flights returning to the city airport is unlikely. "At this point I don't see an opportunity for an international travel [service]." Hardaker said the city needed to focus on being a strong regional airport. "We've had carriers come and go through the international market and what it demonstrates is long-term sustainability of international carriers is very difficult.  "You've got the choice of international options out of Auckland, but if Jetstar come in, one thing they've also talked to us about is the connection with Qantas."

Source : http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/69780039/Jetstar-meets-with-Hamilton-leaders-ahead-of-domestic-service-decision

Postcard from Tonga

A big THANKS to Pete White who sent me these photos from Tonga. Peter writes...

I am in Tonga again and have snapped a few PICs for you. 

I have seen both J32s SKY and SAM. Also the Y12 has been coming and going. 

Both J32s have been operating TBU - VAV - TBU almost non-stop everyday expect Sundays. 

The MA60 made a show yesterday while waiting for our flight to Vava'u.  It was not flying but out having a maintenance ground run.  The "new" Royal Tongan Airlines crew did have the MA60 up last week for one circuit. 

Harbin Y12 A3-SPV at Fua'amotu

BAe Jetstream A3-SAM and A3-RTL and Xian MA60 A3-RTL at Fua'amotu

BAe Jetstream A3-SKY at Fua'amotu

BAe Jetstream A3-SKY and A3-RTL and Xian MA60 A3-RTL at Fua'amotu

A glimpse of the flight deck of the J32 on the flight to Vava'u

Beautiful Vava'u

Third Flight for Whakatane

Air Chathams chief executive Craig Emeny says understanding the Whakatane market has enabled the company to provide a quality service. It's been six weeks since Air Chathams took over after Air New Zealand stopped flights between Whakatane and Auckland and things are going well enough to add another daily flight to the schedule. However, the company, along with the three mayors of the Eastern Bay, are continuing discussions with Air New Zealand to ensure the success continues. Whakatane mayor Tony Bonne said a recent report into the economic benefits of flights into Whakatane showed an addition of $17 million to the local economy. "Reports were completed for the three regions Air New Zealand recently stopped servicing [Westport and Kaitaia as well as Whakatane] and will be shown to the Prime Minister to highlight the economic importance of each having a visible presence with our national carrier," Mr Bonne said. Two proposals had been put to Air New Zealand from the Eastern Bay. "Right now we have lost all visibility through Air New Zealand and its website," Mr Bonne said. "Were asking for Whakatane to be included online by highlighting flights to the region through Air Chathams and hoping people will be able to book flights with Air Chathams through the Air New Zealand website. "Some of the bigger companies only use Air New Zealand and have been booking staff flights to Tauranga and Rotorua then hiring cars to get people to Whakatane. "If they don't agree to making bookings available then we would at least like the inclusion." He said Air New Zealand had not said "no" but were putting up obstacles toward making it happen. Mr Bonne, who flew Air Chathams on Wednesday, said a company chief executive sitting in the seat behind him gave the service a 10 out of 10. "Everything I have heard to date has been positive and I urge local people and businesses to not only fly Air Chathams, but also to ensure they tell everybody about the service." Mr Emeny said it was always great to receive such feedback. "The past six weeks have allowed us to see if what we had planned was right and make any adjustments we believe needed making." Air Chathams have an 18-seater and a 50-seater available for the flights. "So far the smaller plane has been used the majority of the time although there has been the odd day when demand has meant we've used the bigger one. We expect demand to increase during summer." Air Chathams is looking to change arrival and departure times, making the morning flight to Auckland slightly earlier and the return trip to Whakatane slightly later. "In addition, we will be adding an 11am flight to Auckland to accommodate people who are not so business orientated. This will be more about meeting international flights or connecting with other flights." Mr Emeny was quick with praise for staff working at the airport. Air Chathams staff were enjoying Whakatane and becoming familiar faces at cafes and restaurants in town. Next up will be a passenger survey to see if the public agrees Air Chathams is doing it right.

Source : http://m.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11469105

Recent Regional Changes in the NZ Aviation Scene

What an amazing couple of weeks it has been in third level scene. First Jetstar have announced their intention to move into the regional market. Kiwi Regional have announced their start date and first routes. And finally newcomer Originair have been the shock news with the announcement of their intention to start services from Nelson.

Rumours that Jetstar were coming to enter the regional market have been around for years. The announcement that these will be operated with 50 seat Bombardier Q300s indicates a couple of things... they are using spare Qantas capacity and given the size of the aircraft it is unlikely there will be a huge number of cheap seats. Nonetheless I expect there will be some form of air war. It will be interesting to see what four ports they choose.

Of more interest to me are the other two announcements. Ewan Wilson's Kiwi Regional has announced a twice daily Dunedin to Queenstown return service morning and evening with a Dunedin-Nelson-Hamilton return service in the middle of the day. While I think the Dunedin-Nelson-Hamilton service might generate some traffic the Dunedin-Queenstown service is just nuts without the cola. Going back to Southern Scenic Airways many have tried connecting the two centres and failed. I suspect this particular route won't last long. 

And Ewan Wilson must be slightly peeved about Robert Inglis' plans for Originair especially operating on the Nelson-Palmerston North route. Robert Inglis has a lot of experience but taking on Air New Zealand head to head on the Nelson-Wellington route is either brave or stupid. I think I would have focused on the Nelson-Palmerston North service which was apparently doing very well. Two return weekday flights that are too late for morning business flights and too early for evening business flights won't be real winners in my opinion. If Jetstar goes Wellington Nelson one wonders what Originair' future will be. 

2015 is certainly been a real year for third level airlines. As in the past with third level airlines time will tell who or what will survive. 

Change for Night Time Flyers

Freightways announces aircraft fleet upgrade

Freightways announces that it will transition from its current fleet of Convair freighter aircraft to Boeing 737-400 freighter aircraft between February and May 2016. The benefits for Freightways of this new airfreight service include: 

• Increased airfreight carrying capacity 
• Faster sector speeds 
• Savings in annual capital and operating costs 
• Modern navigational systems 
• Reduced carbon emissions per item of freight carried 

Key points relating to this initiative are: 

• Freightways' subsidiary, Fieldair Holdings Limited, will form a Joint Venture company with Airwork Holdings Limited that will operate three Boeing 737-400 freighter aircraft to replace the airfreight service currently performed by Fieldair’s subsidiary, Air Freight NZ Limited, which uses five Convair freighter aircraft. 
• Airwork will lease the three 737-400 freighter aircraft to the joint enture company. 
• The joint venture company will operate the aircraft. 
• Customers of the joint venture company will be Freightways' express package businesses and NZ Post’s Express Couriers Limited business. If demand warrants it, capacity will be made available to other freight operators. 
• The 737-400 freighter aircraft will provide sufficient capacity to accommodate the expected future growth of Freightways’ express package volumes. 
• Freightways' existing Convair fleet will be made available for sale upon the transition to the 737-400 freighter aircraft. 
• The carrying value of Freightways’ Convair fleet and related spare parts has been written down by $7.6 million to reflect the realisable US dollar (USD) value of the fleet and parts at the current USD foreign exchange rate. The carrying value of the Convair fleet had previously been based on the exchange rate applicable at the time the last Convair was purchased in 2003 and supported by the fleet’s value in use to Freightways. The decision to transition from and sell the Convair fleet triggered the need to assess realisable values for accounting purposes and to reflect those values at the prevailing exchange rate. As a non-recurring and non-cash expense this write-down in value will not impact on Freightways' dividend payments to its shareholders. 
• To transition to the new airfreight service, including redelivery of a currently-leased aircraft, capital expenditure of $1.7 million and transition costs of $1.35 million will be incurred. 
• The financial benefit to Freightways is primarily related to cash savings in capital expenditure of approximately $3 million per annum and incremental savings in annual operating costs.

Background 

Freightways' express package businesses provide an overnight, inter-island airfreight service to their customers. To enable this service, Freightways operates its own dedicated airfreight service from airport/road hubs at Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch. Freightways' aircraft fleet consists of 4 owned Convair CV580 aircraft and 1 leased Convair CV5800 aircraft. The Convair fleet has provided a good and reliable service since its introduction into New Zealand in 1989.

As express package volumes have grown, demand for the earlier positioning of airfreight through the airport hubs has increased. In order to sustain the levels of service required by its customers, Freightways has for some time been exploring alternative aircraft options. The 737-400 aircraft are deemed by Freightways to be the most suitable alternative aircraft to the current Convair fleet. The 737-400 aircraft operate with a net payload of approximately 17,000kg compared to a typical Convair CV580 net payload of 6,500kg. The 737-400’s will provide sufficient capacity for the future expected growth of the overnight airfreight market in New Zealand for many years to come. The 737-400’s are fitted with modern avionics equipment that is compliant with Airways Corporation requirements for navigation equipment used throughout New Zealand and will be for the foreseeable future. Additionally, carbon emissions per item of freight carried compared to the current use of the Convair fleet are expected to reduce.

Fieldair Holdings has operated in New Zealand’s general aviation and engineering maintenance market since 1951 and since 1989 as an airfreight operator for Freightways. Fieldair will continue to service its other maintenance and flight operations customers from its bases in Palmerston North, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, while also participating in the joint venture company.

Airwork is an experienced operator of Boeing 737 aircraft and has recently purchased a number of 737-400 passenger aircraft that will be converted to freighters in the United States. A joint venture that matches Fieldair’s and Airwork’s respective aviation expertise pragmatically aligns the capability of each business.

Conclusion

This new airfreight service will deliver positive service and financial benefits to Freightway’s stakeholders.

New Air-Freight Network Set to Deliver for Airwork

A new combined airfreight network created by NZ Post subsidiary Express Couriers Limited (ECL) and Freightways will utilise three Airwork-owned Boeing 737-400F aircraft. The aircraft, which will travel between Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch, will be leased to a new entity operated jointly by Airwork and Freightways subsidiary Fieldair.

Airwork will enter into a long-term (10 year) contract with the Joint Venture, which will ensure Airwork remains a key player in the new ECL-Freightways network. 

Airwork has successfully operated the ECL and New Zealand Post aircraft for more than 20 years and brings extensive experience and capability in operating and maintaining Boeing 737s to the new Joint Venture.

Airwork CEO Chris Hart says the new agreement will help to future proof the express freight network in New Zealand while ensuring its major customers avoided an otherwise significant cost increase. 

Airwork earlier this month announced it had extended its contract with Toll Holdings’ Australian airfreight express business to 2022 and would be replacing at least two of its 737-300Fs on that contract with 737-400Fs, the first two aircraft to be replaced before February 2016. 

Hart says Airwork remains on course to record net profit after tax of $15.3 million for the year ending 30 June 2015.

And this from www.stuff.co.nz indicating the departure of the Friendships. One wonders what will happen with the Metros?

The rapid growth in online shopping has prompted express delivery company Freightways and New Zealand Post to upgrade their fleets of propeller freighter aircraft to Boeing 737-400 jets. New Zealand Post and Freightways' subsidiary Fieldair will lease the the 737-400s from Airwork which would also operate the aircraft. The 737s will replace Fieldair's existing fleet of ageing five Convair CV580 turboprop freighters as well as New Zealand Post's 737-300 and two Fokker F27 Friendships. The 737 passengers planes will be converted to freighters in the United States and will be progressively pressed into service by May next year. The bigger 737 will carry a payload of 17 tonnes compared to a typical Convair's 6.5 tonne capacity. The aircraft will fly between Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

Robert Inglis gets airborne with Originair

Nelson skies will become more crowded as a sixth airline, Originair, is set to take off. Originair - established by Robert Inglis who founded Air Nelson then ran Origin Pacific Airways which collapsed in 2006 - will fly Nelson-Wellington and Nelson-Palmerston North. His move comes as Qantas-owned Jetstar's roadshow is in Nelson on Thursday as it presses ahead with plans to start regional flights from December. Nelson is one of the seven regional centres it is considering operating from. It will choose at least four. The Jetstar regional fares will go on sale in September.

Kiwi Regional Airlines announced on Wednesday that it will start on September 27, flying direct between Nelson and Hamilton, and Nelson and Dunedin, as well as between Dunedin and Queenstown. The newcomers will join Air New Zealand as well as smaller airlines Sounds Air and air2there which service Nelson. Originair will pick up the Nelson to Palmerston North direct route that Air NZ dumped in April.  Kiwi Regional had intended to fly that route but instead will fly direct Nelson to Hamilton. Originair's head office has opened this week in Achilles Ave in central Nelson and the airline will employ up to 20 staff in Nelson and Palmerston North by take-off. Inglis owns Inglis Aircraft Ltd and the new Originair fleet will consist of two 19-seat Jetstreams, one of which had been leased to Vincent Aviation then LifeFlight. Inglis described its move as ``modest".  "This isn't Ben Hur, it's a very small operation," he said.  "We own the eqipment, we're not exposed to a lot of risk with exchange rates, we have operated this route and know it well.  Hopefully we're just offering Nelson people another choice." Originair's standard fares for Nelson-Wellington would go from $129 through a range to $257 for a flexi fully refundable fare, and for Nelson Palmerston North from $169 to $289.  Specials would be offered from time to time, he said. The Nelson-Palmerston North and Nelson-Wellington routes were a return to the service he and Nicki Smith first started in the 1980s, and this was an 80/20 venture between them. "As a small regional airline we are really pleased to be able to offer the direct flights that the Nelson and Manawatu regions have said they need and appreciate," said Inglis. "We are also pleased to offer travellers to and from Wellington more peak-time flights to the capital. "We are experienced airline operators and have the aircraft and systems to service these routes," he said. "We have been working hard since December to be ready to fly between Nelson and Palmerston North by August 12. "Our twin-turbo prop pressurised 19-seater planes, operated with a two pilot crew, are the right gauge for these links and are aircraft that regional passengers are used to flying in. Because of this, we believe the transition to our service from Air New Zealand's former service will be easy for people." Inglis did not see the arrival of Jetstar to the region as an issue.  "I imagine they are interested in the core routes from Nelson and provincial airports to the Auckland gateway.  I'm quite sure they are not interested in Nelson-Palmerston North." He saw Kiwi Regional Airlines as focusing on the tourist market, and said he did not have a relationship with its chief executive Ewan Wilson. Nelson Airport is in the process of planning the redevelopment of its terminal, and chief excutive Rob Evans said the establishment of a new airline was another great news story for Nelson. "Having Originair here will be fantastic for Nelson by offering more availability for inbound and outbound passengers on a direct route to Palmerston North supporting both business and leisure travellers," Evans said. "There are some great synergies between both catchment regions to really take advantage of what's on offer. More choice for travellers to Wellington will also be welcomed by Nelsonians. "Robert Inglis is a true aviation entrepreneur with wonderful vision and dedication in a very volatile industry," he said. Nelson Region Economic Development Agency chief executive Bill Findlater said he supported the addition of a new regional airline for Nelson. "Gaining back the direct regional Nelson to Palmerston North route gives Nelsonians an important link to central North Island. Any initiative that provides more regional services for Nelson has to be a good thing." Nelson mayor Rachel Reese also welcomed OriginAir flying to and from Nelson. "We already have significant interest from both the business and tourism sectors for new routes and extended services. Any new airline will only help increase capacity and opportunity for people to come to our beautiful city. "We look forward to working with Robert and the OriginAir team to support the long term growth of travellers to our region." Originair will not directly employ the flight crew. Inglis said that due to the relatively small scale of the proposed operation he had collaborated with two companies from the Freightways Ltd Group, Air Freight NZ Ltd (Air Freight) and Fieldair Engineering Ltd (Fieldair), to carry out flight operations and fleet maintenance respectively. Both Air Freight and Fieldair had decades of relevant aviation experience and would provide the airline with a high quality service and allow Originair's core team to focus on its marketing and customer service, he said. "Our website and reservation system is already live so people can book their flights today at www.Originair.nz," Inglis said. 

How much?

Air fare, Nelson to Wellington, September 10

Air NZ: $69-$174

Originair: $129-$257

Sounds Air: $120

air2there (to Paraparaumu): $149

Jetstar: unknown, fares go on sale September, first flights December

Kiwi Regional: starts September 27 but not to Wellington.

About Robert Inglis

Robert Inglis started Air Nelson in 1979 with Nicki Smith. Air New Zealand purchased 50 per cent of the airline in 1988, then the total shareholding in 1996 and still operates it today. Inglis and Smith then went on to start Origin Pacific Airways in 1996 as a feeder airline for Qantas. It went into liquidation in 2006 after Qantas' Jet Connect cancelled a contract that resulted in Origin losing 60 per cent of its business.  Now Nelson-based Inglis is a director of Inglis Aircraft Ltd and the owner of Northwood Hop Co and Northwood Wines.

Flight schedule

* Originair Nelson / Wellington winter schedule from September 10

 Nelson to Wellington                        Wellington to Nelson

Monday to Friday 7.30am, 5.00pm    8.40am, 6.10pm

Saturday 10.40am                             11.50am

Sunday 1.40pm                                 2.50pm

* Originair Nelson / Palmerston North winter schedule from August 12

 Nelson to Palmerston North                Palmerston North to Nelson

Monday to Friday 9.50am, 2.20pm     11.20am, 3.40pm

Saturday 8.00am                                   9.20am

Sunday 4.10pm                                     5.30pm

Source : http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/69661139/new-airline-originair-set-to-go

Kiwi Regional Lining Up for Take Off

New air service Kiwi Regional Airlines has announced the routes it will fly with its first aircraft and a start date. It will run its first passenger service on September 27, and each day will start with a return Dunedin-Queenstown flight, says its chief executive, Ewan Wilson. The aircraft, a SAAB 340A 32-seat twin-engine turboprop model, will then fly mid-morning to Nelson direct from Dunedin, a route that has not been flown previously by a scheduled service, but which it says connects the country's premier fishing industry ports, and the two largest South Island cities outside Christchurch. Kiwi Regional Airlines has announced the first four routes it will operate daily, from September 27. From Nelson, Kiwi  will fly return to Hamilton in the middle of the day. It says this refreshes a connection flown by thousands of passengers annually on both Origin Pacific and Air New Zealand until 2008. The former, however, used 19-seater planes, Wilson said. "We believe with us operating it in better-fit aircraft, it's a very economical way of capturing the market." The flight then returns from Nelson to Dunedin mid-afternoon, before repeating the Dunedin-Queenstown return flight in the early evening. Wilson said he was "very pleased at the progress Kiwi is making". "Our Civil Aviation Authority certification is well under way, key personnel have  been appointed, airports are being negotiated with, aircraft purchase steps are nearing fruition and now we have finalised our first route. "Our route is an exciting one, different from all other airlines, and we expect will be well-supported by the communities it serves." Kiwi intends to add a second aircraft, and additional routes, within the next 12 months, he said. Kiwi produced a draft flight route proposal in February that suggested an Auckland-Hamilton link was on the cards, but Wilson has said Kiwi won't compete with Jetstar and Air NZ. "Air NZ continues to service Auckland [from Hamilton] until early next year, our position may change once they have departed the scene, but we're taking a very conservative approach."

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/69662951/kiwi-regional-airlines-names-start-date-and-routes

A new star for the regions

Jetstar plans to start flights to regional destinations later this year in what will be a major shake-up for domestic air travel. The low cost carrier will use a fleet of five 50-seat Bombardier Q300 turbo-prop aircraft to fly to at least four regional centres initially. Those cities being considered include Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Napier and Palmerston North in the North Island and Nelson and Invercargill in the South Island. The new flights will break Air New Zealand's stranglehold on flying large aircraft to regional centres. Air New Zealand shares plunged by close to 10 per cent this morning after the Jetstar move into the regions was tipped by the Business Herald... 

Jetstar made the announcement in Auckland today with Prime Minister and tourism minister John Key. The airline said its new flights - due to start in December - would bring "low fares competition to monopoly domestic routes around the country." Jeststar is owned by Qantas whose chief executive Alan Joyce said the time was right to bring Jetstar's fares to the regions. "When Jetstar brought low fares to New Zealand's key routes six years ago it completely transformed the market in terms of value and now we'll do the same for regional New Zealand," he said. There had been calls for more choice and lower fares on regional routes," Joyce said. "We're answering that call by launching Jetstar flights to regional New Zealand, making air travel more affordable for people who live outside the main centres and boosting tourism and the economies of these areas." The new regional destinations would connect to the broader Qantas Group network, including both Qantas and Jetstar flying across the Tasman.

Source : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11467277

Whakatane air service doing well

Sunair may expand in the future

The owners of air service sunair say their new service in Whakatane is going well. Owner and operator Bev Power says the service has been well received by the Eastern Bay public and the services to Napier, Gisborne and Hamilton are frequently used. She says flights to Napier are more expensive than the other two destinations as the route to Hawkes Bay is longer and slightly more expensive to run their planes. When asked if Sunair was thinking of extending their services to other parts of the country, Bev Power says it's definitely a possibility. She says we're always looking at other oppurtunies, so we would want to improve service to other regions, not really main regions.

Source : www.1xx.co.nz

17 June 2015

PPQ-NSN begins

Sounds Air launched their Paraparaumu-Nelson air service on Monday 15 June 2015 with the first service to Nelson (SDA501) and the return flight from Nelson (SDA502) being flown by Tim Johnson in Cessna 208B Grand Caravan ZK-SAY.

Sounds Air are operating two return flights each weekday between the two centres as well as a return flight on Sundays.