Originally posted by Atkinson1


SOURCE: http://xtramsn.co.nz/travel/0,,12728-4563813,00.html

Air NZ Reveals New Look Boeing 747

http://xtramsn.co.nz/homepage2/imageView/0,,4563983,00.jpeg http://xtramsn.co.nz/homepage2/imageView/0,,4563976,00.jpeg http://xtramsn.co.nz/homepage2/imageView/0,,4563984,00.jpeg
IMAGES: Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has revealed its first refitted Boeing 747-400 featuring lie-flat beds, digital in-flight entertainment at every seat and a new class of travel for the New Zealand market called Pacific Premium Economy.

The new long-haul fleet design and physical refit of the first aircraft has taken more than 60,000 hours of work, with the airline's fleet of eight 747s expected to take until mid-next year to complete, at a cost of approximately NZ$160 million.

"This is an exciting new era of travel being introduced from Air New Zealand. Inside this first aircraft is a range of products that are recognised as the world's best, coupled with a design that is all about New Zealand," said Air New Zealand Managing Director and CEO Ralph Norris.

"As our country is so inspiring, we believe the journey to get there should be too, so we've considered every aspect of the customer's experience including new blankets, duvets and pillows, the introduction of Living Nature skincare products as well as newly designed crockery right down to river-stone themed salt and pepper sets."

The new interior is configured in a three class layout of Business Premier, Pacific Premium Economy and Pacific Economy.

The innovative design in Business Premier includes a comfortable, 22" wide leather armchair that converts into a 6ft 7.5" (2.02m) bed that is the longest available in Business Class today and also makes Air New Zealand the only airline to offer a truly lie-flat bed at a Business Class price into and out of New Zealand. Other features include an ottoman footrest that doubles as a visitor's seat, in-seat power, a high resolution 10.4" screen to view the on-demand digital entertainment system and active noise-cancellation headsets.

The unique herringbone seating configuration means direct aisle access for all passengers. Seating for 46 is available in the two front cabins on the 747's main deck and in the front half of the upper deck.

The new class of Pacific Premium Economy is located on the upper deck with seating for 23 and features the largest pitch in its class at 38"-40" together with a generous seat width of 18.5". On-demand digital entertainment is through a personal 8.4" high resolution screen.

The new class makes Air New Zealand the only airline to be offering premium economy seating on services to and from New Zealand.

"With Pacific Premium Economy fares available at just 25-30% more than economy fares we have seen strong bookings, particularly for San Francisco and London, with a total of more than 7,000 sectors booked across North America and London routes," said Mr Norris.

Air New Zealand's Pacific Economy class includes seating for 324 and retains the airline's leading 34" seat pitch, together with on-demand digital entertainment through high resolution 8.4" in-seat video screens.

The seat, designed by well known seat manufacturer Recaro, includes a slim-line shape, memory foam cushioning to shape to the passenger and a flexible seat edge for extra comfort.

The first 747 aircraft will initially fly some Tasman and Los Angeles services on an ad-hoc basis, before commencing scheduled services between Auckland and San Francisco from 7 August.

Further aircraft will be refitted approximately every six weeks, with completed aircraft to be progressively introduced on the Auckland - Los Angeles - London route (flights NZ1 & NZ2) from 5 November and other routes during 2006.

"Today's announcement sets a platform for the company to grow its long-haul business, with financial benefits of the new offering expected to commence in the second half of 2006, once the entire fleet is refitted," said Mr Norris.

"With gearing at an historic low, cash reserves of NZ$1.1 billion, strategies in place to lower operating costs and our new long-haul offering now a reality, Air New Zealand has never been better placed to face the challenges ahead such as fuel prices and intense competition."

Mr Norris said the design and refit process had been a technical challenge that was well managed by staff.

"For the past two years hundreds of staff have been involved in developing a new long-haul strategy, creating a design and then commencing the installation of the new product here at our engineering base.

"It has been a huge commitment from the company to get us to the point where we can now begin to reclaim our position as the best long-haul carrier in the world.

"I am extremely proud of everything that our staff have achieved and I look forward to seeing the rest of the fleet completed over the next 12 months."

The same interior design will be used on Air New Zealand's eight new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, the first of which is due to arrive in October this year.

We made our first Premium Economy booking yesterday. At last Air NZ will really have top class interiors. They have taken out First Class entirely and expanded business and added the premium. Premium seats are now bookable on the 777 flights to SFO and from late in the year in the 747-400 NZ1/NZ2 to LAX and LHR. I was briefed about this last year and its great to see it all finally happening.

Air NZ rocks, better beds than Qantas's business class :D

Air New Zealand hit with strike
July 19 2005

A strike by flight attendants of Air New Zealand has forced the carrier to cancel 30 percent of its international flights.

As many as 1,000 long-haul cabin crew members began walking off the job Monday in three 48-hour strikes that will continue until midnight next Monday, the Wellington Dominion Post reported Tuesday.

The resulting cancellations have affected about 15,000 passengers, including Kuwait's defeated Davis Cup tennis team. The strike is expected to cost Air New Zealand about $2 million.

Weary team members were also hoping to fly to Singapore on the first leg of a long flight home.

The union wants a 3.8 percent wage increase for each of the next three years. Air New Zealand had offered 3.3 percent in the first year, 3.4 percent next year and 3.3 percent in 2007.

Long-haul flight attendants in its premium section earn about $61,500 a year, plus $20,000 in tax-free allowances. Air New Zealand's pay offer would increase taxable income to about $63,530 in the first year of the new contract.
(UPI)

Pay talks continue at Air NZ
Jul 19, 2005

Talks are continuing between Air New Zealand and the union representing cabin crew who are striking in support of a 3.8% pay claim.

The first of three strikes lasting 48 hours is due to finish at midnight on Tuesday with a break of 24 hours before the next strike gets underway.

An Air New Zealand spokesman says even if there is a breakthrough in talks it will be too late to avoid the cancellation of further flights between now and next Monday, when the strikes are due to end.

A total of 84 flights are expected to be cancelled, disrupting the travel plans of an estimated 15,000 passengers.

Source- Abnoxious TV One news presenter Judy Bailey

Air New Zealand international disruption continues despite end of strike
23 July 2005

Disruption of Air New Zealand flights to and from Asia and other international destinations will continue until the end of Monday despite the settlement of an industrial dispute with flight attendants, the airline said.

Stoppages since Monday by international flight attendants have forced the cancellation of 85 flights -- including nearly one third of Air New Zealand's long haul services -- disrupting travel for 15,000 passengers.

Talks during the week between the airline and the attendants' union over pay and conditions ended successfully Friday. But it was too late to restore flights cancelled for Sunday and Monday, said Air New Zealand's general manager for international services, Ed Sims.

A total of 29 flights have been cancelled on Sunday and Monday. Services to Asia have been worst affected by the strike, including flights to and from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.

New Zealand, Britain sign aviation deal opening skies to each other's airlines
26 July 2005

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - New Zealand and Britain signed a landmark open skies deal on Tuesday allowing New Zealand's airlines to operate unlimited flights into and out of Britain.

Transport Minister Pete Hodgson, who signed the agreement with British High Commissioner Richard Fell, said the timing was "great news" for the tourism industry and for Air New Zealand.

Tourism is one of New Zealand's biggest industries -- pumping an estimated 16.5 billion New Zealand dollars (US$11.3 billion; �9.4 billion) into the economy each year.

The deal, first announced in May, removes almost all restrictions on air services between the two countries.

"This agreement is the most liberal signed to date by the U.K.," Hodgson said.

While it allows Air New Zealand to increase flights beyond its present once-daily service, any increase in flights will depend on access to landing and takeoff slots at London's Heathrow airport.

The carrier said it is working through the process of securing suitable slots at Heathrow, Britain's busiest international airport, which could take at least 12 months.

Fell said in a statement that the agreement was good for travelers and airlines in both countries.

A memorandum to the agreement says Britain reserves the right to limit the number of passengers the New Zealand carrier can fly between London's two main international airports and the United States.

This is because of restrictions on British airlines flying these routes under a deal with the U.S. government.

Air New Zealand's new beauty...the Beoing 777-200

http://tinypic.com/bi01oz.jpg
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/7761/777paint32pc.jpg
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9132/777paint18pq.jpg

Pretty. Hey where's those Airbus's that we were going to get?

man the new Air NZ 777-200 look nice

The new air NZ 747-400's interior looks much nicer than the Singapore airlines 747-400, and I thought when I was last on a Singapore flight (about 4 weeks ago) that they were flash... good on ya air NZ :cheers:

Air NZ wants its own terminal

04 September 2005
Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,3399126a6445,00.html
By TIM HUNTER

Air New Zealand is so fed up with monopoly airport charges that it wants to build its own passenger terminal at Auckland airport.

In a parting shot, chief executive Ralph Norris, who stepped down on Wednesday, said airport charges were a big issue for the airline, and having its own terminal was a realistic option.

"It may be in Air New Zealand's interests for it to run its own terminal and shopping precinct and compete with Auckland Airport," he told the Sunday Star-Times.

"The airport has ways and means of not allowing it to happen, but it probably could be achieved with Commerce Commission intervention."

Norris said Air NZ could build a new terminal in partnership with a big property developer.

One aim would be to create an easier transfer between international and domestic services through a single Air NZ terminal.

"As a major international hub it would provide us with a lot more convenience," said Norris.

There were overseas models for how the arrangement could work.

In Australia, for example, Qantas leases Terminal 3 for its own use at Sydney Airport, while Terminals 1 and 2 are owned and operated by the airport company for international and domestic traffic respectively.

The idea had been discussed at board level and floated with Auckland Airport, which Norris said was not well disposed to the proposal.

Air NZ has been campaigning for several years against what it sees as excessive airport charges.

In May 2003, Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel decided against price controls on Auckland Airport, saying the benefits for air travellers were not sufficient to justify the cost.

Her decision followed a Commerce Commission report recommending price controls because Auckland Airport was earning excessive profits from its monopoly position.

The same year, Air NZ backed away from a confrontation with Wellington Airport over a 78% increase in landing charges. A settlement was reached on the eve of a court hearing after Air NZ had refused to pay the extra money.

Last week, Norris continued the fight, telling National Radio that airport profit margins in New Zealand were 75%, while the norm in Europe was closer to 35%.

Auckland Airport chief executive Don Huse said the company was an honest broker resolving competing airline interests.

Having "common use" terminals gave airlines more flexibility than single use terminals and avoided overbuilding. They also gave lower barriers to entry for airline competition.

"So what would possibly be the motivation for a single airline wanting its own facilities?" said Huse.

The airport had been negotiating with airlines for 12 months, he said, and a final outcome on pricing would not happen until September 2007.

"Only then can criticism be justifiably levelled at us."

While there was naturally some tension on commercial issues, "that doesn't affect our commitment to going through the process in good faith".

Huse said the consultation process was clear and included court action as happened with Wellington airport, although "I certainly hope it doesn't come to that ... I think there's a lot of crying wolf."

man the new Air NZ 777-200 look nice

The new air NZ 747-400's interior looks much nicer than the Singapore airlines 747-400, and I thought when I was last on a Singapore flight (about 4 weeks ago) that they were flash... good on ya air NZ :cheers:
It show's good old Kiwi inginuity, the new Air NZ is better than any other airline imo. :cheers:

Yeah it should be nice having those seats that are like beds lol.

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/boeing.JPG
A Boeing B777-200ER.


Air NZ doubles order for Boeing 787s to four

26.10.05 11.00am


Air New Zealand said today it had placed firm orders for another two Boeing 787-8 "Dreamliner" aircraft costing US$117 million ($168m) each, in addition to the two it already has on order.

The announcement comes as the airline prepares for the delivery of the first of eight new B777-200ER aircraft this Friday.

New chief executive Rob Fyfe said the Government-controlled airline had been guaranteed firm delivery slots for the two additional aircraft.

"This is a most desirable position for us to be in given the unprecedented sales success of the Boeing 787 model and enables us to plan for the airline's long-term needs," he said.

The Dreamliner makes significant use of lightweight high-tech composite materials to deliver operating efficiencies and customer comfort, including higher humidity levels and a more comfortable, lower cabin altitude.

They have a range of 14,800km-15,700km range.

While Boeing has yet to confirm actual configuration details, it is expected that the B787-9 model will offer the same range capability with 20-50 more seats.

As part of its international long-haul fleet strategy, Air New Zealand plans to have all its eight B777-200ER aircraft in service by early 2007 and introduce the B787 aircraft during 2010/2011.

That's interesting, seeing as they're cutting 600 jobs.

That's engineering jobs they're cutting though, i.e. ground staff - not personnel that are required to staff the planes themselves. It staggers me though how much airlines spend on new planes. It seems like Air NZ is constantly spending hundreds of millions at any one time upgrading it's fleet.

..and yet wants to cut 600 jobs to save a measly $100 million. Thats 600 families, etc affected. Its all bizzare considering the govt (or in other words, all of us!) owns 80% of Air NZ.

That's engineering jobs they're cutting though, i.e. ground staff - not personnel that are required to staff the planes themselves. It staggers me though how much airlines spend on new planes. It seems like Air NZ is constantly spending hundreds of millions at any one time upgrading it's fleet.

I know. What I meant was: don't be suprised where they got the money from to afford a few more planes.

I know. What I meant was: don't be suprised where they got the money from to afford a few more planes.
Oh i getcha. Sorry... i don't have my thinking cap on today.

it is sad the 600 highly skilled jobs are going to China, but hey at least its not as bad as Qantas who said they are looking at moving 3000 engineering jobs from Aus offshore to asia, its just how the competitive business world is going these days and it wouldn't make sense for the NZ govt to subsidise those jobs on behalf of AirNZ.

As for the new planes, AirNZ needs to upgrade its whole fleet, all its services, and the interiors of all planes. Huge competitive pressure from the likes of cashed up Emirates and Royal Brunei means AirNZ needs to keep up and meet customers changing needs or it will be left in the dust.

The best thing the NZ govt can do is help find those 600 engineers new jobs hopefully here in NZ.

Hope I don't offend anyone here but I personally wouldn't trust anything getting a proper service in China. If they are saving $100million its for a reason, lower maintenance quality. Lets say this is the case and an air NZ plane crashes because of this, now its that good publicity? they saved on maintenance costs but destroyed their reputation in the process.

Hope I don't offend anyone here but I personally wouldn't trust anything getting a proper service in China. If they are saving $100million its for a reason, lower maintenance quality. Lets say this is the case and an air NZ plane crashes because of this, now its that good publicity? they saved on maintenance costs but destroyed their reputation in the process.

I can understand where you're coming from Loafer, but it's not like the Chinese engineers are unskilled workers. If they didn't know what they were doing i'm sure Air NZ wouldn't even consider using them.. and for all we know Air NZ could start going under if they don't make cuts like this now (they haven't been doing so well financially lately). Don't get me wrong though - it upsets me that so many skilled kiwis are going to be out of the job, but maybe it's just got to the point where Air NZ doesn't have much choice.

A different perspective of AKL

A Lan Chili A340 touching down.
Pretty busy at the domestic terminal with 4 AirNZ 737s and 1 Qantas 737 in view.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/p841742e7e184baadfdb2f66881799d07/f02456f2.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/photos/photos/7/3/8/1002837.jpg

On final approach to AKL runway 05R.
One of the scruffiest looking runways I've seen.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid201/pe908e9919306b8d5177f919b6155f80f/f0245437.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/photos/photos/7/1/5/0914517.jpg

Yah that does look very scruffy!

Aerial view of AKL (with scruffy runway 05R/23L :) )
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Auckland_international_airport_from_space.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/01/Auckland_international_airport_from_space.jpg

Up to date map of AKL. Complete with current taxiway closures (probably due to works being carried out).
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~airdata/images/NZAA.jpg
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~airdata/images/NZAA.jpg

Air New Zealand cuts Singapore, Los Angeles flights, aims at China, North Asia
12 July 2006

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Air New Zealand said Wednesday its halting daily flights to Singapore and not recommencing twice weekly summer season flights to Los Angeles to pursue new more profitable routes in China.

Chief Executive Rob Fyfe said the changes were the start of a "repositioning process" to benefit the airline. North Asian routes represented substantially greater growth prospects than Southeast Asia -- already well-served with international airline capacity, he said in a statement.

"We have the debut of our nonstop 777 service to Shanghai three times a week from Nov. 6," he said.

The airline is also planning a second daily service to London via Hong Kong from October, while the cargo market was driving the carrier's preference "for building North Asia capacity," he noted.

"The Singapore route suspension, which takes effect on Oct. 2, presents Air New Zealand with aircraft and resources to pursue new opportunities ... and for planning ... new international routes," Fyfe said.

The airline currently has less than a 30 percent capacity share in the Auckland-Singapore market, and Fyfe said it had suffered significant losses flying to Singapore in recent years.

Airline group general manager Ed Sims said most passengers traveling to Singapore were connecting with another service, heading to the northern hemisphere.

"Most of these destinations are served just as effectively via Hong Kong," he said.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said the Singapore route was quite well served by other carriers during the peak season.

"Singapore Airlines flies 21 times a week in the peak season between Singapore and New Zealand," he noted.

Hickton said the move would not have a significant effect on New Zealand markets generally.

"It may have an impact on the Singapore market itself but that's not a huge one for us," he said.

Fyfe said the current fuel price environment and soft demand meant the airline would be dropping its Christchurch to Los Angeles service from Oct. 29.

He was committed to seeing Air New Zealand grow profitably, he added.

The national carrier, 82 percent owned by the government after a near-bankruptcy in 2001, has been restructuring its operations for the past four years.

what a twaat airline. how dare they abandon the SI like that. i believed bussiness was booming with direct ch - la links. fuckers

NZ Rough Weather Hits Infratil's June Air Traffic Data
12 July 2006

WELLINGTON (Dow Jones)--New Zealand-based infrastructure investor Infratil Ltd. (IFT.NZ) said Thursday domestic and international passenger numbers at Wellington Airport fell in June compared with a year earlier as poor weather and engineering problems halted flights.

Infratil, which owns 66% of Wellington airport, said domestic passenger numbers fell 2% from the same month last year, while international traffic fell 4%.

Infratil said adverse weather conditions and an unusual number of cancellations due to engineering issues had a "significant impact" on monthly traffic.

In contrast, June passenger traffic at its 100%-owned Glasgow Prestwick Airport rose 7% compared with the same month a year earlier and charter passengers rose 13%.

Freight volumes continued to fall however, down 2% on year.

hkskyline - why do you keep bringing us bad news!!! :bash: Please, something positive :)

hkskyline - why do you keep bringing us bad news!!! :bash: Please, something positive :)

HEAR HEAR ! especially when it applies to Wellington - their slogan is POSITIVELY WELLINGTON :)

Here are some nice photos to brighten things :)
Source : http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow

http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/36218303.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/36218304.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/49847062.jpg

Wow - Air Auckland - great :runaway:

I'm not bitter :scouserd: :)

Wow - Air Auckland - great :runaway:

I'm not bitter :scouserd: :)

LOL

Air NZ unveils strategy
21 July 2006
National Business Review

Airline hopes to make comeback in UK passenger market

Graeme Kennedy

Air New Zealand expects the launch of its daily London services through Hong Kong in October will help it claw back some of the share of the UK passenger market it has lost.

The airline used to have half the total UK-New Zealand market of 200,000 passengers with its service through Los Angeles.

But total passenger numbers have grown to 300,000 and, still with one daily flight, Air NZ has seen its passenger numbers drop 10% and its share fall 30%.

"The UK market will grow to 500,000 and we will lift our share with the daily schedule through Hong Kong - and retain traffic we have been losing to other carriers, particularly Asian," Air NZ international airline group general manager Ed Sims says.

The airline's second daily London service from October 28 will increase its total UK capacity to almost 4000 one-way seats a week to the UK.

Mr Sims says the Boeing 777s that replaced 767s on the Auckland-Hong Kong route from July 1 will be transferred to the Osaka service while 747s will operate the new west-bound flights through to London.

He says 747s will continue to fly Auckland-Los Angeles but 777s will take over the Los Angeles-London sector, saving the airline an estimated $62 million a year in fuel costs.

The Hong Kong-London service will make Air New Zealand the industry's only round-world carrier.

This may not mean a lot to New Zealanders familiar and comfortable with long-distance travel "but UK passengers tend not to be and they like the idea of managing a round-world trip on one westernised English-speaking airline.

"And there is always a market premium for a carrier of the destination they are leaving or travelling to.

"Being a round-world carrier to New Zealand is a big advantage and we are already seeing this in forward bookings - for London-Hong Kong, London-Hong Kong-Auckland and round the world."

Mr Sims says another big advantage is Air New Zealand's position as the only Star Alliance carrier on the London-Hong Kong sector.

"There are a lot of Star operators in the UK and [continental] Europe markets but currently no vehicle to Hong Kong, which is a strong high-yield corporate route out of London."

He says Air New Zealand plans to add one or two new destinations a year over the next decade. "We have our new service to Shanghai from September 6 - our first major destination since San Francisco in 2004 and Fukuoka eight years ago, although [Fukuoka] lasted only three years."

"We received our sixth of eight 777s this week and in the past 17 months have refurbished all eight of our 747s with lie-flat beds and through-cabin in-flight entertainment.

"And the first of our four 787-9s will be delivered in February 2010 when the last five of our original nine 767s will have left the fleet."

Air NZ's probable future destinations include South America and India to tap in-bound tourism, new cities on the US west coast, and Canada where Vancouver is being considered as a top priority.

But Mr Sims says other routes will be dropped - such as Singapore, which after 40 years will cease to be an Air NZ destination from October 2 because of declining loads that have left the carrier with a less than 30% market share.

The summer-season Christchurch-Los Angeles direct services have also been scrapped while Auckland-Tahiti-Los Angeles frequencies are likely to be cut back.

"We are looking closely at destinations that are not making returns," Mr Sims says. "There will be a more efficient evaluation of existing routes and markets that are losing their appeal."

Very sad news about Origin Pacific.

I'm not even gong to comment on the behaviour of the "national" airline.

Was CHC - LA not a good route? David i know ud be bummed...well i can see u are

thats fantastic Air NZ! Shame about CHCH-LA but o well its a business!

thats fantastic Air NZ! Shame about CHCH-LA but o well its a business!

Your right on all counts Ben - a real bummer. South Island exporters are really hurting, it came as a real blow to the local bussiness. I do believe this will be short lived - big things will happen with the airline industry in the SI. CHC will get it's North America link again, although I don't ever believe it will be with the "national" airline. My only hope for the short term is that Jetstar, Pacific Blue and Qantas will give the "national" airline a real good shafting domestically. If they want to play raw bussiness (cause thats all they are doing) let them fight and perhaps have a taste of how they treated a small striving airline bussiness that was trying to give NZers a choice. :soapbox:

Was CHC - LA not a good route? David i know ud be bummed...well i can see u are

The CHC - LA route was working fine Mikey. It was a seasonal route Spring/Summer. Flights were full (I tried to book to come home at Christmas and only just got a seat, the travel agent in London told us the six months of flights were nearly all gone). As Ben has said before, it was a pure bussiness choice. They want to open up the routes between NZ and Asia, they need all the planes they can get for this, so CHC & AKL have lost out in flights to the USA, and some other destinations. The crazy thing is they are now trying to introduce this new shuttle service between CHC and AKL where you get of your LAX - AKL flight in AKL, get straight onto a 'shuttle' flight (remaining airside) to CHC where you will then clear customs, immigration and collect your bags. Then passangers going to Dunedin and elsewhere in the South Island or lower North Island can catch their domestic flights. This is better than nothing I suppose - if anyone has ever done the LAX flight then arrived in AKL and had to walk to the Domestic Terminal or wait for a bus, you will know what I mean.

In short it's just such a pisser. In future, I'll stick with Singapore Airlines (LHR - SIN - CHC) daily flights, really good service. It's a sad day when it's the foreign airlines that are the ones that stick with and support your local bussiness and infastructure............once again :soapbox:

I shall speak of this no more >(

If Wellington Airport manages to pull off the long-haul thing with the B787s and A350s, it'll likely be foreign airlines that'll step up to the mantle. Air AKL (sorry, Air NZ) has already written off WIAL's ambitions, but then again, it whinged when WIAL upgraded its domestic terminal in 1999, which is highly regarded by most.

At the end of the day, if airlines have issues with empty seats, then smaller planes would be the obvious solution. Until the B787 and A350 enter service, only the largest planes can do long haul flights.

Paraparaumu $10m plan for airport terminal Dominion Post 2006/09/13 (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/0,2106,3795020a6479,00.html)

The new owners of Paraparaumu airport have unveiled ambitious plans for the site, including a $10 million terminal.

Paraparaumu Airport Holdings' major shareholder Noel Robinson said architects Warren Mahoney had been appointed to design the terminal, which he hoped to start building at the end of next year.

Designed in the shape of an aeroplane wing, the 200-metre long terminal was part of a $750 million airport-business park development plan announced for the 131-hectare site in May.

The terminal would be used for small airlines, aviation training, aircraft maintenance and as a place for air logistics companies, Mr Robinson said.

"We will have a lot more people flying in and out of the airport once we have the terminal built, which will be the heart of the development," he said.

As well as interest from national airport operators, six businesses based in New Zealand and Australia have said they wanted to move to the development, including a leading international hi-tech firm keen to establish 400 jobs, he said.

In response to community concern, Paraparaumu Airport Holdings planned to delete residential zoning at the site and retain two runways, after originally announcing the second east-west runway would be ditched.

It would now be moved slightly south and shortened, Mr Robinson said.

Kapiti Aero Club president Graham Barrell welcomed the news that the second runway would remain.

The overriding concern, gleaned from the first round of talks involving 300 face-to-face meetings, was that the airport be retained as a strategic asset, he said.

"We are also working with iwi to resolve some genuine concerns."

Hey does this mean that Wellington may get a new airport that could handle bigger planes, then they could close down the current WIA?

^^
Nope

The runways at Paraparumu are even shorter than Wellington's. Plus the airfield is surrounded by residential area so there's no way to lengthen the runways.
The terminal is more a utillities centre than a passenger terminal.

The terminal would be used for small airlines, aviation training, aircraft maintenance and as a place for air logistics companies, Mr Robinson said.

Is WGN destined for short and mid haul flights then, or do you think they could develop a new International airport somewhere else?

Perhaps it's better to just have 2 major international airports for NZ - one on the north and south islands! What do you think?

I thought that flying into the old Hong Kong Airport was exciting, but coming (and going) into Wellington was far more hair raising.

Is WGN destined for short and mid haul flights then, or do you think they could develop a new International airport somewhere else?

Perhaps it's better to just have 2 major international airports for NZ - one on the north and south islands! What do you think?

I remember the Muldoon Govt looking at lengthening the runway south out into Cook Strait but nothing came of it. Now days it would be impossible to get resourse consent for such a project. WLG dosent need a long runway for it's operations. At 1900+ metres its long enough for flights to Australia and the Pacific and can handle up to 767 size aircraft. Thats plenty good.
I think having AKL and CHC as the 2 longhaul airports is just fine in a country of 4million.

Cost would be the biggest obstacle in any case, with or without resource consent.

Apparently some years ago, an attempt was made to drill concrete rods - designed to withstand the Cook Strait - to lengthen the south end of the airstrip, but the southerlies saw to that. The north end can't be lengthened because the hill approach would be too dangerous for the ICAO to handle. The runway has had to be lengthened anyway to meet ICAO requirements, otherwise airlines would have had to reduce their takeoff/landing weight allowances.

However, the B787 (and the A350 after that) is to enter service in about 2-3 years' time. According to data calculated from Boeing's fact sheets, it can take off from WLG's existing runway just like a 767, but can fly much further because of the use of lighter materials - far enough to fly direct to the likes of SNG, HKG and HNL.

Auckland Airport video check it out.:)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tEwsuQ_NXic

Cool.
Would appear to be back in 2002/3 I think.

Air NZ to make changes to unprofitable Pacific routes

3.00pm Wednesday October 25, 2006


Air New Zealand will make schedule changes to some of its Pacific flights next year, following a review of non-profitable routes.

From April 2, the airline will suspend its Rarotonga-Papeete-Los Angeles services, which currently operate three times per week.

It will instead code share with Air Tahiti Nui on four of its daily Papeete-Los Angeles services to maintain links with London.

It will also reinstate a weekly non-stop service between Rarotonga and Los Angeles to keep links between the Cook Islands and North America.

That service will fly twice a week during the peak April to July season and possibly the Christmas to February period.

Air NZ will also code share with Air Tahiti Nui on a non-stop service between Auckland and Papeete four times a week.

Regular services between Auckland and Rarotonga will continue as normal.

Group general manager of short haul airlines, Norm Thompson, said that despite the historic links Air NZ had with the Pacific, it could not justify the current level of service through Papeete and Rarotonga from Los Angeles.

He noted Air New Zealand had been flying the Coral Route for over 50 years and the importance of visitors from the Northern Hemisphere to both French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.

Also today Air NZ announced changes to the days of the week it flies its Nadi to Los Angeles route.

It will fly three days a week and the other four will be operated by Air Pacific under a code share agreement, subject to government approval.

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/747.jpg

I took from the look out 747-419 :)

Auckland airport to build hotel to pay for upgrade

NZ Herald
2006/12/18 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/location/story.cfm?l_id=117&objectid=10415814)

Auckland International Airport plans to develop a hotel within 12 months, as it increases non-aeronautical revenue to help pay for new runways and terminals.

The airport has set aside 180ha for developments including an expanded business park. The company expects to develop a four-or five-star hotel close to its international terminal and a lower-rated hotel nearby.

"We get strong cashflows out of our non-aeronautical business activities and that certainly helps us fund our aeronautical investment," said chief executive officer Don Huse.

"I would be pretty confident within the next 12 months we should have a hotel proposition lined up."

Surplus land at Auckland Airport gives the company scope to diversify that is not available to hubs such as Kansai International Airport in Osaka, built on a man-made island, and Hong Kong International Airport, mostly on reclaimed land.

Auckland Airport is seeking faster-growing activities because its ability to raise landing charges is hampered by regulation.

"From the airport's point of view, it's a good use of land, it creates an income stream that is not regulated," said Anthony Halls, who helps manage $152 million at BT Funds Management in Auckland, including Auckland Airport shares.

"It's appropriate that they diversify their income streams away from purely aeronautical revenue."

Profit at Auckland airport fell last year and 2007 earnings growth is expected to stall because of increased costs tied to its expansion.

Earnings may rebound starting in 2008 as the company boosts revenue from its expanded retailing and parking lots and capital expenditure slows, the company said.

Huse said: "Aeronautical investment is about 75 per cent of our total investment activity whereas it is less than 50 per cent of our revenue."

The airport is in talks with airlines including Air New Zealand about raising charges for the five years starting on September 1.

It plans to spend about $130 million a year through to June 30, 2008, on new aircraft piers, improved runways and expanding its terminals.

The airport expects to handle 223,500 airplanes a year by 2025, from about 161,000 now. Shares in Auckland International Airport closed up 2c to $2.21 on Friday.

Wellington Airport also has plans for a hotel, on top of the carpark. There was a design concept on Archaus' website, but at the moment it's undergoing a revamp so the pics are offline for the time being.

At least you've had PICTURES. All we've had is a general outline on a map of the airport for 2035.

Direct flights to Asia get a maybe

By ROELAND van den BERGH - The Dominion Post
Wednesday, 13 December 2006

Wellington's bid for direct long-haul flights to Asia has received tentative support from Singapore Airlines.

Wellington International Airport is counting on the Boeing 787 to open a direct link to Asia, and one stop to Europe, from the capital when the jet goes into service in 2008. The 266-seat 787 will be the first large aircraft to be able to fly beyond Australia with a profitable load from Wellington's short runway.

Singapore Airlines chief executive Chew Choon Seng said that Wellington airport had approached the airline to provide the service, which would be considered in due course.

"It is not something to be ruled out, but at this point in time the demands on our resources are such that we are not ready to make a decision yet ... or able to consider any new (destinations)."

Air New Zealand has ruled out a Wellington service when it takes delivery of its four 787s from 2011.

Wellington airport claims the first airline to take up the route could make up to $13 million a year in profits.

A direct Asian link is a key plank of the Wellington transportation strategy.

Positively Wellington Tourism says a direct service would bring tens of millions of dollars in additional tourism and other economic benefit to the region.

Singapore Airlines had no plans to fly the new Airbus A380 to Auckland, Mr Chew said. Production problems have delayed the superjumbo.

Air NZ is acquiring 4 more of these Boeing 787 Dreamliners;
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/BCA_787_Flight_deck.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/89/AirNZ_789.jpg


Air New Zealand doubles its order for Dreamliners
NZ Herald
2006/12/20 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/story.cfm?storyid=000A6443-B4BA-1587-849A83027AF1010E)

Air New Zealand has ordered four more Boeing 787-9 jets as it seeks further international growth and considers new routes.

The jets - which double Air New Zealand's order of the 787-9s to eight - have a list price of $1 billion but the airline said it "received a significant discount" because it was the second customer to order the 787 aircraft.

Dubbed Dreamliners, the 787s are Boeing's next-generation long-range aircraft.

Smaller than the 747, they are more fuel-efficient and are made mostly from carbon composites rather than metal. The first planes are not due to fly commercially until 2008.

"These new aircraft will provide Air New Zealand with a solid platform to realise its growth ambitions over the next decade," said strategic development manager Nathan Agnew.

He did not specify where they would be used, but said: "Given their capability to fly direct to regions like South Africa, India, South America, Asia and deep into China and North America, we will have some exciting new opportunities to pursue."

Air New Zealand said it was committed to launching at least one new international route every year and expected to announce a new route in the next few months. It reconfigured its long-haul routes this year to focus on North Asia, launching flights to Shanghai and flying to Europe via Hong Kong rather than Singapore.

The first of the Boeing 787-9s - which Air New Zealand says use 20 per cent less fuel than comparable aircraft flying today - will be delivered in 2011 and the last in 2013.

Shares in Air New Zealand closed down 7c yesterday at $1.82.

http://www.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/images/sscimages/747.jpg

I took from the look out 747-419 :)


*fsssst* :booze: Arghh,nothing like a cold "Steinlager" when you've finaly touched down saftely.

Reverse thrust 60% thanks co-pilot.

Ladies and gentleman!,I hope you enjoyed your longhaul flight *fssst* :booze: from London.May your disembarkment be a plesant *fssst* :booze: and safe one.

We hope to see you on Air N.Z again in the near future.

Air NZ looks at less legroom over Tasman
By ROELAND van den BERGH - The Dominion Post
Saturday, 16 December 2006

Air New Zealand could cram more seats into its trans-Tasman aircraft as it strives to compete against low-cost carriers Jetstar and Pacific Blue.

The airline launched a comprehensive review of its loss-making Tasman operation after a code-share agreement with rival Qantas was turned down by the Australian competition regulator last month.

Chief executive Rob Fyfe said a focus of the review was to determine if passengers were prepared to pay for the extra legroom on Air New Zealand aircraft compared with Qantas-owned budget carrier Jetstar and Virgin Blue's Pacific Blue.

Air New Zealand's Airbus A320 aircraft, and its own budget brand Freedom Air, were fitted with 150 seats, including a business class cabin, compared with the 177 all-economy layout on Jetstar.

The difference was a gap between seat backs of up to 32 inches (81 centimetres) on the national carrier and 29in on Jetstar. For an average adult, the reduced space was the difference between the knees touching the seat back in front or not, Mr Fyfe said.

The airline had to work out whether it was earning the additional 20 per cent in revenue to justify the 20 per cent more space passengers were getting.

"Or are we better to follow the lead of some of those other players and go for a much higher seat density, for example?"

Though increasing the number of seats would lower costs, the decline in comfort would also reduce income per seat if passengers were not prepared to pay the same fare.

Removing business class from all or some of the A320 fleet was also a key consideration in the review, which was expected to take till April to complete.

Large wide-body jets fitted with full business class were already used on peak business services between Auckland and Sydney and Melbourne. If business class were removed from the A320s it could require the return of a Boeing 767 service for early-morning Wellington-to-Australia flights to cater for business travellers.

More economy seats would also add capacity at almost no additional cost, which could be used to win more market share, or reduce flight frequency, allowing one or two aircraft to be dropped from the fleet, saving costs, Mr Fyfe said.

Air New Zealand has already announced an 11 per cent capacity reduction on the Tasman route between April and October in a cost-saving response to the failure to gain approval for the code-share.

Under the code-share the airlines would have combined services to reduce a claimed oversupply of seats that it was argued made the route unprofitable.

Mr Fyfe said no decision had been made about the future of Freedom Air on the Tasman route.

"We have a low-cost option and we have a full-service option.

"What we have to figure out is, based on the assets available to us, how we best deploy those, and that is what the review is all about."

Freedom had about a 20 per cent cost advantage over the main Koru brand, because of its exclusively online booking system, no free food on board, no airpoints dollars and no connections with other airlines.

Both brands share the same aircraft and have common crew and ground facilities.

Air NZ looks at less legroom over Tasman
By ROELAND van den BERGH - The Dominion Post
Saturday, 16 December 2006

Air New Zealand could cram more seats into its trans-Tasman aircraft as it strives to compete against low-cost carriers Jetstar and Pacific Blue.

The airline launched a comprehensive review of its loss-making Tasman operation after a code-share agreement with rival Qantas was turned down by the Australian competition regulator last month.

Chief executive Rob Fyfe said a focus of the review was to determine if passengers were prepared to pay for the extra legroom on Air New Zealand aircraft compared with Qantas-owned budget carrier Jetstar and Virgin Blue's Pacific Blue.

Air New Zealand's Airbus A320 aircraft, and its own budget brand Freedom Air, were fitted with 150 seats, including a business class cabin, compared with the 177 all-economy layout on Jetstar.

The difference was a gap between seat backs of up to 32 inches (81 centimetres) on the national carrier and 29in on Jetstar. For an average adult, the reduced space was the difference between the knees touching the seat back in front or not, Mr Fyfe said.

The airline had to work out whether it was earning the additional 20 per cent in revenue to justify the 20 per cent more space passengers were getting.

"Or are we better to follow the lead of some of those other players and go for a much higher seat density, for example?"

Though increasing the number of seats would lower costs, the decline in comfort would also reduce income per seat if passengers were not prepared to pay the same fare.

Removing business class from all or some of the A320 fleet was also a key consideration in the review, which was expected to take till April to complete.

Large wide-body jets fitted with full business class were already used on peak business services between Auckland and Sydney and Melbourne. If business class were removed from the A320s it could require the return of a Boeing 767 service for early-morning Wellington-to-Australia flights to cater for business travellers.

More economy seats would also add capacity at almost no additional cost, which could be used to win more market share, or reduce flight frequency, allowing one or two aircraft to be dropped from the fleet, saving costs, Mr Fyfe said.

Air New Zealand has already announced an 11 per cent capacity reduction on the Tasman route between April and October in a cost-saving response to the failure to gain approval for the code-share.

Under the code-share the airlines would have combined services to reduce a claimed oversupply of seats that it was argued made the route unprofitable.

Mr Fyfe said no decision had been made about the future of Freedom Air on the Tasman route.

"We have a low-cost option and we have a full-service option.

"What we have to figure out is, based on the assets available to us, how we best deploy those, and that is what the review is all about."

Freedom had about a 20 per cent cost advantage over the main Koru brand, because of its exclusively online booking system, no free food on board, no airpoints dollars and no connections with other airlines.

Both brands share the same aircraft and have common crew and ground facilities.

We just flew ANZ CHC-SYD-CHC on a A320 and the seating was really comfortable - I think it is one of the great strenghts about the airline, is that you are not cramped in. We have just flown back to London on a ANZ 777-200ER and it was so comfortable - a real credit.

I think the new dream liners will be fantastic - I'm a real convert to smaller long haul aircraft.:)

We just flew ANZ CHC-SYD-CHC on a A320 and the seating was really comfortable - I think it is one of the great strenghts about the airline, is that you are not cramped in. We have just flown back to London on a ANZ 777-200ER and it was so comfortable - a real credit.

I think the new dream liners will be fantastic - I'm a real convert to smaller long haul aircraft.:)

Yeah thats why I Flew Air New Zealand .... its quality that counts not Quantity :cheers:

Yeah thats why I Flew Air New Zealand .... its quality that counts not Quantity :cheers:

Ditto - Dido - what comes next?

Ditto - Dido - what comes next?

Air NZ is ok but my fav airlines are Singapore, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates.

And the crappiest are Air Zimbabwe, Polynesian and Delta!

Just my experience -

My favorite are:

Norwegean No
SAS
Varig
Singapore Airlines
Austrian

OK:

EasyJet
Qantas
Air New Zealand (International)
Air France
BMI

The Worst:

Ryan Air
Continetal
Jamaican Air
British Airways
Air New Zealand (Domestic)

I'll be flying KLM and Air New Zealand for the first time in 10 years.
Really curious to see the new AirNZ interiors. I'll be flying the 777 from Osaka to Christchurch and the 747-400 from Auckland to Hong Kong.

I'll be flying KLM and Air New Zealand for the first time in 10 years.
Really curious to see the new AirNZ interiors. I'll be flying the 777 from Osaka to Christchurch and the 747-400 from Auckland to Hong Kong.

The new 777-200ERs are really nice - great leg room, excellent inflight entertainment. They are much much better than the 747s.

It's been reported that Qantas is replacing its WLG-MEL & WLG-BNE services with JetStar. The article is supposedly in Saturday's NZ Herald, but seemingly not in the online edition:

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3225174/?searchid=3225174&s=wlg#ID3225174

It's been reported that Qantas is replacing its WLG-MEL & WLG-BNE services with JetStar. The article is supposedly in Saturday's NZ Herald, but seemingly not in the online edition:

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3225174/?searchid=3225174&s=wlg#ID3225174

I saw an article in the Press a while ago saying that QANTAS was cutting back on it's flights to CHC and flying more Jetstar aircraft instead. I don't know if AKL is going to have the same thing happen.

Aust class action alleges Air NZ price-fixing
By MARTA STEEMAN and DENISE MCNABB - The Press | Friday, 2 February 2007

Hundreds of exporters could be adversely affected by alleged international price-fixing claimed in a suit against Air New Zealand and six other airlines.

Yesterday, Australian law firm Maurice Blackburn Cashman said it would file a $A200 million ($NZ224m) cartel class action against Air NZ, Qantas, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines (SAL), Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines (JAL) and British Airways (BA).

The action claims an alleged secret arrangement to lift prices on international freight using surcharges, including on fuel attributed to higher fuel costs, for security attributed to extra measures after the September 11 attacks, and insurance costs linked to the Iraq war.

Maurice Blackburn Cashman principal Kim Parker said firms and individuals who bought more than $A20,000 of air freight services in the last seven years are affected by the alleged cartel. If the case was successful, victims of the cartel would be able to claim back losses.

It is claimed the surcharges were used to lift prices by secret arrangement between the airlines, and that they were not linked to higher operations costs as represented by the airlines.

Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend said a lot of New Zealand firms would have spent more than $A20,000 on international air freight in the last seven years. "All the meat exporters, the cherry exporters, the asparagus exporters, fresh chilled fish exporters, guys who are selling high-value componentry like Taits. They would all be well above $20,000 a year.

"It's yet to go through the court process. At the moment, it is just an alleged charge. We will wait to see what unfolds."

Christchurch freight company Cameron Global Express said any number of firms would fit that level of international air freight spending. Company head Ron Cameron said surcharges took off after September 11 and went on for too long.

"You didn't actually see any real capital expenditure going in to increasing that surveillance. You didn't see X-ray machines or a lot of hi-tech implementation within the airline facilities themselves," he said. "Where you did see the capital spend was at the customs service."

Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe said yesterday it had clearly become evident that the timing of travel agent and cargo action cases against a group of airlines was not coincidental. He believed both class actions had everything to do with the Qantas consortium transaction going through. Qantas accepted an $A11.1 billion takeover bid from an Australian and international consortium in mid-December.

Fyfe believed Air NZ was caught in the middle of parties wanting to get their cases lodged before the airline changed hands. "I am a little bit cynical about this," he said.

Law firm Slater & Gordon filed a statement of claim in the Federal Court in Australia shortly before Christmas against Qantas, Air NZ and other airlines on behalf of 1450 travel agents seeking $A80m in unpaid commissions back to May 2004.

Tait Electronics chief executive Michael Chick said costs of air freight were significant because New Zealand was a long way from its markets.

Air NZ to fly direct to Vancouver
NZPA | Friday, 23 February 2007

UP, UP, AND EH: Air New Zealand is set to open a direct link from Auckland to Vancouver in November.

Air New Zealand said today it would open a direct link from Auckland to Vancouver in November.

Group general manager international Ed Sims said Canada had always been an extremely popular destination for New Zealanders.

The route would significantly grow tourism numbers between the two countries which already sees 46,000 Canadians visit New Zealand and 16,000 New Zealanders visit Canada annually, he said.

The reinstatement of the Vancouver link restores a route canned in the 90s.

The services will initially operate three times a week between November and March to coincide with the peak travel season between the two destinations, as Canadians escape winter and New Zealand skiers head to the Canadian slopes.

Mr Sims said Vancouver is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that provides a convenient gateway to popular destinations such as Whistler, Calgary and the Canadian Rockies.

He said the new service was a significant undertaking for Air New Zealand.

The airline plans to open at least one new long haul international route each year.

Already it has added daily San Francisco flights, a second daily London service via Hong Kong, and a Shanghai service, all possible through the addition of new 777 aircraft.

Last year, Air NZ stopped direct flights to Singapore and cut back on flights to Los Angeles.

The new non-stop route will take 13 hours on a new Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

Air NZ is planning to attract Australian customers.

Air NZ has spent $1.7 billion on its 777 fleet and the new route is ideally suited to these aircraft, Mr Sims said.

Flights to Vancouver will begin on November 2 and run through until March 28, 2008. Return tickets from Auckland will cost from $2289.

Shares in Air NZ have doubled since last September as fuel prices drop and its business case improves.

The airline is nearing the end of a three-year overhaul of its fleet and operations, cutting unprofitable routes, costs, and jobs.

Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said the new service was expected to be profitable in its first season.

"We are pretty confident we will make money in our first season. There is already very strong demand and we have found from other markets as soon as you set up a direct service people gravitate towards it very quickly."

Mr Fyfe said the service would attract some new customers but many would be passengers transitting through Hawaii, San Francisco or Los Angeles.

He said a direct service would also motivate people to travel specifically to New Zealand.

The new service on the airline's new Boeing 777 aircraft would begin in the first week in November.

Mr Fyfe said the airline planned to announce a new international route every year.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter, who represented the Government as a major stakeholder in the airline, said the Canadian market had not been properly developed in the past, although there was a direct service for a short time in the early 1990s.

"Canadians are very interested in coming to New Zealand. We have got a really growing tourism market there.

"We are also looking at trying to recruit more and more skilled migrants from North America and while we have traditionally looked at California and the west coast of the United States, I think we have got an opportunity in Canada as well," Mr Carter said.

----

Fantastic!

That 777 is probably the most amazing plane out now!

http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/gallery/images/commercial/17845.jpg

http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/gallery/images/commercial/k63368_01.jpg

http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/original/034000/PlanespottersNet_034499.jpg

^^
Travelled on the 777 from Osaka to Auckland.

Only thing. They had what is seriously the UGLIEST hostess I have EVER seen. Around 50 and FAT. I mean really fat. I'm all for equal opportunity but this past all reasonable boundries. If she must fly then just keep her in the galley and spare us poor passengers the sight.

Lovely, Lovely aircraft.

I think the uniforms are mingering!!

I'm disapointed that CHC is not featuring in any of the new routes. Our flights from London at Christmas were a nightmare trying to get to CHC via LA with Air NZ - such a pity - even worse trying to get out of NZ for the return flight.

I'm disapointed that CHC is not featuring in any of the new routes. Our flights from London at Christmas were a nightmare trying to get to CHC via LA with Air NZ - such a pity - even worse trying to get out of NZ for the return flight.
It's AirNZ being Auckland-centric again. And it's not just us - even Melbourne & Brisbane feel that Qantas is too Sydney-centric.

In fairness though, it's a whole lot cheaper for AirNZ to have just one NZ hub, especially where marginal routes are conceened.

^^ Yea make sure you look at the reasoning being purely economic, nothing to do with the city.

What airport is that shot of urs (ben) above taken at?

Here are the stats, i got the pic from www.plane-spotters.net

Air New Zealand [Fleet Info]
Boeing 777-219(ER) [Production List]
ZK-OKD (cn 29401/ln 550) [Airframe Info]

Tokyo - Narita International (NRT / RJAA), Japan
November 14, 2006

It's AirNZ being Auckland-centric again. And it's not just us - even Melbourne & Brisbane feel that Qantas is too Sydney-centric.

In fairness though, it's a whole lot cheaper for AirNZ to have just one NZ hub, especially where marginal routes are conceened.

According to the Air New Zealand staff in the South Island head office when we went in to see them, and complain about the mess that the airline had made to our flight schedules - straight from the horses mouth - Air NZ had played dirty with it's LA route - all flights to the CHC were fully booked over Christmas and the whole of the session. However, because of the delays to the new aircraft for the also profitable Shanghi route, they to make the route look not profitable, altered the London - LAX connection time with the LAX - CHC time, so anyone transiting to CHC had to spend the night in LA - this made the route "unpopular" - perfect for axing. This is a common "trick" airlines play we were told - Qantas is ment to be good at playing it as well. The very nice lady at Air New Zealand told us that the upset to travellers and exporters has been devestating for the airlines South Island patronage and image. Singapore airlines (being the most direct link to Europe) bookings are way up, you can't get a seat with them on the sper of the moment, and they are fully aware of plans by other airlines to start North American and other routes. She even said they were worried that Air NZ would become purely Auckland focused with the rest of the country, including CHC and Wellington being served domestically by the "national" airline only. She also said that they had more complaints about the airlines service and attiude to South Island and lower North Island customers than letters of thanks and praise. When we asked her why she and others still worked for the airline, she told us that it was a job she enjoyed doing, but she just couldn't tell us a fob of story and that the staff in the SI had been devestated by the airlines more agressive bussiness approach.

I know it's probably about their bussiness plans, but it still sucks :ohno:

^^ Yea make sure you look at the reasoning being purely economic, nothing to do with the city.

Mate make sure you look at the reasoning, and please don't try to act like you know a whole lot more than you actually do, or anyone else here for that matter, because that's how you come off.

David, I have heard similar stories about their trickery and indeed experienced it first hand especially when it came to CHC/LAX.

Good news for Auckland though, and Air Auckland.

any excuse to hate on auckland...

im pretty sure air nz would give christchurch and wellington flights if they were as profitable as you make out david

Mate make sure you look at the reasoning, and please don't try to act like you know a whole lot more than you actually do, or anyone else here for that matter, because that's how you come off.

What did I say that wasnt in the reasoning? If it proves to be economic to fly to a city they will fly there, as I said this would have absolulty nothing to do with Air New Zealand anti CHCH sentiment.

any excuse to hate on auckland...

im pretty sure air nz would give christchurch and wellington flights if they were as profitable as you make out david

Who said anything about hating Auckland? My family and personal connections with the AKL go back generations including the very real present - I couldn't hate a place that has been so formational in all the 40 years of my life - so I think you are being a tad presumptious - your comment jafa gives reason for NZers to think people from AKL are as your name sugests you are - and the f does not stand for fantastic - and most of us here don't think or want to think like that.

What did I say that wasnt in the reasoning? If it proves to be economic to fly to a city they will fly there, as I said this would have absolulty nothing to do with Air New Zealand anti CHCH sentiment.

I think you are right in Ben in saying that it is about the economics of the airline. AKL is Air NZ's hub!

I think the frustration that Cartel and I and most SIers and those from the the lower NI find is that the majority of tourist to NZ will end up in either AKL or CHC at the beginning or end of their trip. We have two excellent international airports, both doing well, but our national airline has just pulled the plug on one (at least with the North American link) which was working well, serving a great route, to start up another route at it's expense? Air NZ staff will openly tell you that. Then the airline announce they will start flying even more north american routes, not giving any of those customers the choice of entry or exit points in NZ?

^^ Yes I agree that it does suck, thank you for explaining it in the way you did :)

I do find it annoying that Auckland is the ONLY hub, it defenitly should be evenley spread, and logic suggests CHCH.

But surely if the airline was flying to an airport and it proved to be a good economic success, both due to location and demand, why would they then pull out? Was CHCH Intl a success for Air NZ? Or has it become more of a trans-tasman hub?

Oh and Jafa wasn't talking about what you had said David, I think it was Cartel's response that he was talking about.

Oh and Jafa wasn't talking about what you had said David, I think it was Cartel's response that he was talking about.

^^ cool :cheers: just took it the wrong way jafa........:nuts:

It seems to me both CHC and Air NZ are both being very suscessful. As you can see from the CHC Int thread - please look at it if you haven't already:banana:

Air New Zealand are doing well - new aircraft, new routes.

What does not make sense is the axing of something that was sucessful - what the media and staff are telling people are very different things.

One only hopes the national airline will utilise the SI a little more than just Australia in the future - I mean the door is open and Singapore, Korean, Jetstar, Pacific Blue, Emarites and Fijian are all serving CHC well. Singapore has picked up the slack that Air NZ created. I'd rather fly the national carrier than not, they are good and I'd rather fly in and out of CHC direct. Adding another 2 -3 hours to your already long international journey is just horrid. Hubbing through AKL is not as straight forward as they would have you believe - ask anyone who has done it.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10426037

I agree with what you are saying David. It's disappointing that they are axing successful routes, especially off the back of this news. Seems to me they could lease widebody aircraft if necessary.

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/27airnz435.jpg

^^ Cool pic in that article!

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/27airnz435.jpg

^^ Cool pic in that article!

Hmmmm I wonder which Island the 747 is flying over? Its a very rare sight now that you will see one of these beauties at CHC Int :ohno:

^^ Lol yea, USING THE SI FOR PUBLICITY!

^^ lol

I am skeptical about how successful those routes must be though if Air NZ is axing them

^^ lol

I am skeptical about how successful those routes must be though if Air NZ is axing them

For CHC it was the LAX - mainly tourist and ferrying Kiwi's back and forth - it was sucessful - expansion getting in he way.............

^^ Air NZ is very slack at times, I for one am with David here. Bring it back to CHCH. Maybe they will with the new 787's?

^^ Air NZ is very slack at times, I for one am with David here. Bring it back to CHCH. Maybe they will with the new 787's?

I agree Ben - it is about the national airline using it's two biggest national partners! After all, why are both airports in the process now of expanding there sites with $100's of millions of new terminal, runway, control, parking and accomidation facilities?:)

I asked the Air NZ lady about the 787's and routes, she said they were unsure as to what was happening - they are hoping that CHC will get some of the action once the fleet had been updated - for one, AKL is becoming congested at times on top of all that has been said.

Marketing studies have clearly showed that utilizing both AKL & CHC as the primary entry and exit points for kiwis and tourist makes sense. This in no way threatens AKLs position as New Zealands primary hub and business capital, and will go a long way to establish further CHC's position as the countries secondary hub.

for one, AKL is becoming congested

Never! :lol:

Never! :lol:

not in the sky, but in the terminal - Wednesday the 3rd Janurary 2007 was one such time!!:bash:

:)

not in the sky, but in the terminal - Wednesday the 3rd Janurary 2007 was one such time!!:bash:

:)

To a visitor what looks better - a pack out international terminal or a totally empty one.:lol:

Myself, I get a buzz being in a crowded terminal - Heathrow is a great example.

^^ Yea I would agree with that, but only if its well managed.

Domestic is one that is hideous to be in when packed, but when Auckland Int. is busy its managed well and it looks good for the tourist too.

^^They are upgrading the domestic terminal ben. It will look alot better once its done.

^^ Yea I would agree with that, but only if its well managed.

Domestic is one that is hideous to be in when packed,

Have to disagree Ben - so disorganised it was, they were giving out complaint forms for both Air NZ and the Airport Authority - not good. AKL will be much better with it's new spangley extended Int terminal and new Domestic. I must admit, I had a great cup of tea in the well staffed and cafe laiden Domestic Terminal while waiting for my connecting flight :)

But I do agree with a busy terminal is a good sign - it is fun, and you get a real buzz. I'm not fond of Heathrow busy though and I HATE cues for secruity:ohno:

^^They are upgrading the domestic terminal ben. It will look alot better once its done.

It's functioning well, has great food outlets, easy to get around - but the new terminal will be so much better!

They need to do something about getting international and domestic transfers running a lot better.

Domestic terminal expansion and upgrade
People flying through Auckland’s domestic terminal will soon enjoy a whole new experience. The domestic terminal facilities at Auckland Airport are to be extensively upgraded and expanded as part of a $42m makeover to be undertaken jointly by Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) and its main tenant Air New Zealand.
Domestic terminal expansion and upgrade.

The upgrade will involve the creation of a single unified and expanded terminal with the construction of a new retail precinct linking the two existing domestic terminals. Other key changes include: an expansion of the provincial airline gate lounge; expansion of the check-in area; higher ceilings and wide open spaces; larger windows along the front of the building; expanded security screening points; and a large number of aesthetic alterations.

Hoardings have now been put up in areas near the domestic terminals and construction has begun.

The retail precinct will open mid-December 2006.
http://www.buildingnewzealandsgateway.com/images/redevelopment_domestic.jpg

Yea, I have seen some of the new bits to it and its fantastic, it sucks tho cos Wellington's airport is so much nicer than out domestic (i know its mixed use though)

Yes, well an integrated Domestic-International terminal is the ultimate goal.

Yes, well an integrated Domestic-International terminal is the ultimate goal.

I must say, thats what Christchurch has over Auckland!

Yea, I have seen some of the new bits to it and its fantastic, it sucks tho cos Wellington's airport is so much nicer than out domestic (i know its mixed use though)
Rated one of the best domestic terminals in Australasia, and the Int'l Terminal is under construction - the big aquarium in the Int'l Departures area is already operational. Shame about the airstrip though.

Rated one of the best domestic terminals in Australasia, and the Int'l Terminal is under construction - the big aquarium in the Int'l Departures area is already operational. Shame about the airstrip though.

Yea Wellington airport is something to be proud of, I love it!

Its so simple also. With the 2 levels, the waiting area, the check in area the gates :banana:

Yes, well an integrated Domestic-International terminal is the ultimate goal

^^ You mean for trans tasman?

You mean for trans tasman?

aucklandman,

I think flyin is referring to the future development of AIAL if you visit their website the plan allows for the development of the second runway which will eventually carry largely domestic traffic with an integrated domestic terminal(ie same building as international but at one end). That will allow for much better transfers between domestic/international.

aucklandman,

I think flyin is referring to the future development of AIAL if you visit their website the plan allows for the development of the second runway which will eventually carry largely domestic traffic with an integrated domestic terminal(ie same building as international but at one end). That will allow for much better transfers between domestic/international.

I would concur Trades.

This 2025 plan will retire the existing domestic terminal to freight duties and merge the domestic piers to the northern part of the main terminal ...
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i156/cpst_davis/Terminal_Precinct.jpg

Yes you are both correct, I am referring to the future integration of all domestic and international facilities in one terminal, like Wgtn and Chch have currently.

Will it actully take that long? 2025? I suppose its only about 15 years away to be unexact.

Will it actully take that long? 2025? I suppose its only about 15 years away to be unexact.

About the same time it will take for CHC to get all it's new roading work done :bash:

They have a large model of the AIAL masterplan in the Intl terminal.

I have couple of comments about the International terminal.

1. There is only 1 bar and it closes at about 9.30pm. Way too early. It also happens to be the only place where you can sit down and eat a good meal.
2. No smokers facilities. Smokers must cross to the second dropoff zone where people who are dropping off of picking up people are greeted with a thich cloud of smoke. A beer / smokers garden like at Changi would be great.
Smokers facilities are great places for people to meet and talk. Non smokers facilities are dead and soulless.
3. Hardly anywhere comfortable to relax and wait for your plane. Think of the big reclined chairs at Changi and Hong Kong.

In a nutshell.

Build a big bastard of a beer garden on the roof where people can have a fag, talk to each other, get sloshed and relax on a reclined chair. Everyone embarks their plane happy.

Harry's bar at the Cactus Garden at Changi airport. One of the happiest transit places on earth:)
http://www.harrys.com.sg/images/changi2.jpg

Does anyone know about this new budjet airline Kiwijet that is being set up by some rich American from Florida. Rumour is that he is wanting to start flying two 737s between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

Kaas...heard anything??

^^
Hasn't been a word about it for a month or so.
I dont really think this one will fly (excuse the pun)

Sounds a bit off the wall. I saw an article about it here in the UK in a major aviation magazine. To tell you the truth, I've not done a web search.

http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0705/kiwijet.pdf

interesting.

First True Low Cost Carrier in New Zealand

Wednesday, 2 May 2007, 3:43 pm

Press Release: kiwijet

PRESS RELEASE

May 02, 2007 Christchurch, New Zealand: The Kiwijet Airline Company Limited is pleased to announce its proposed operations as the first true low cost carrier (LCC) in New Zealand.

kiwijet is planning to launch all jet Boeing 737-300 domestic services in December 2007 between Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. Our plan is to offer kiwiclass seating for 140 passengers with a single priced fare structure and free seating. This concept is an entirely new twist on the low cost airline business models of current and previous airlines. It is our mission that soon “all Kiwis will fly”

Our plan closely resembles the Southwest Airlines business model in the USA, and we will offer a full range of amenities such as free wine and beer as well as a generous free baggage allowance not offered by Air New Zealand or Qantas. Other unique offerings will include ‘Moonlight Special’ fares on late night flights between AKL/CHC and CHC/AKL where only cabin baggage will be allowed with the customer. This concept will enable us to accommodate post and parcels in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Moonlight Special service will offer the absolute lowest fare between the two cities, and seats will be sold on a first come first served basis.

We are also considering other perks such as complimentary transfers to the city centres of Christchurch and Auckland as well. Our long term plans will include some limited non contested transtasman routes such as Wellington-Canberra, Auckland-Newcastle, Christchurch-Hobart and Rotorua-Sydney for example.

We believe that a growing population within the country as well as an influx of tourism especially from Asia and North America will sustain our operations for many years to come. Sales and marketing will be focused through internet and top up card sales with revolutionary new technologies such as paying for tickets through a text message or purchasing a fare card at the local petrol station. These cards are widely used in the USA with Southwest, American and US Airways and cater primarily to an 18 – 49 year old demographic. Our products will offer the consumer great flexibility with one price for all.

Our Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Weil is a veteran of the US airline industry for over 29 years. Mr. Weil was one of the original consultants to advise Easyjet in the UK in June 1995 prior to its launch in November of that year. In 1992 Mr. Weil was Director of Customer Service for the highly successful US low cost carrier Air Tran Airways prior to its merger with Valujet Airlines in late 1995.

We will dramatically change the way an airline is structured by cross utilizing staff to cover inflight and ground positions. Other staff will be required to cover various positions in a cross utilized manner as well. By applying these concepts we can staff the company with roughly half the staffing levels of other carriers, and still achieve high productivity through a profit sharing scheme. We will offer substantially higher entry level pay scales than other airlines to attract the very best staff candidates in New Zealand to join our team.

We feel that the time is right to move forward with our plans, and we are considering bidding for the acquisition of an existing airline in New Zealand to expedite our entry into service.

Our website will be available from September so please check back for updates at www.kiwijet.net

Even Wikipedia has a little something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwijet

December 2007 mmmmmmm.

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=65976&nav=2

I wonder if they have a Plan C as well :p

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=65976&nav=2

I wonder if they have a Plan C as well :p

Thanks Haydss. Should be interesting to see what happens with this. Half of me thinks - yeah its a serious bid by a new airline, but the other half of me thinks with such a volitile and vicious Trans-Tasman and Domestic airline industry, Qantas and Air NZ will just gobble them up and spit them out. Here's hoping they can avoid that.

I thought the non competitive Trans-Tasman routes were interesting.

Wellington - Canberra - very good, makes sense
Christchurch - Hobart - great. I remember when ANZ use to fly that route, it was Hobarts only international link. I think it may have been 20 to early, but now I think it would work well, even if it is just once a week.

NZPA | Friday, 3 August 2007

Air New Zealand said today it is purchasing four Boeing 777-300 long-haul aircraft, and has options on a further three.

The four aircraft, due for delivery by 2011, have a list price of $1.1 billion, but were purchased at a discount, Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe said.

The purchases, in addition to the eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners on order, would extend the range, capacity and fuel efficiency of the Air NZ fleet, Mr Fyfe said.

"The purchase rights for the 777-300ERs were obtained from Boeing in 2004, and the confidence we showed in the future of Air New Zealand when the aircraft purchasing market was at the bottom of the cycle three years ago has really paid off," Mr Fyfe said.

Air NZ has now committed more than $2.6 billion to long haul fleet investment.

The airline will move to a full 777 and 787 twin engine fleet for long haul flights around 2012, phasing out the Boeing 747 and 767s as the new aircraft are introduced.

The Boeing 787 is 20 percent more fuel efficient than other long-haul aircraft, while the 777s are 16 percent more efficient than the 747s.

The 777-300ER can seat around 50 more passengers than the 313-seat 777-200ERs in its fleet.

Air NZ said it planned to fund the purchase through a mixture of cash and debt.

At its interim result in February, the airline said it had completed the first stage of a three-year, $2.6 billion capital investment programme with over $1 billion still in the bank and a debt ratio of just 46.7 per cent.

While the aircraft were cheaper to run and maintain, the purchases did not herald a fall in ticket prices, Mr Fyfe said.

The airline also did not expect to drop its fuel surcharge for passengers.

"A number of airlines are in the process of introducing additional fuel surcharges. We've got jet fuel price today back up at record levels.

"Hopefully these sorts of decisions may preclude us having to introduce further surcharges, but we're talking today about aircraft that are going to be introduced in three years' time, so I struggle to be honest to figure out what the fuel price is going to do in three months' time," Mr Fyfe said.

Jet fuel remains the airline's most significant cost.

Shares in majority government-owned Air NZ were down 2.3 per cent at $2.60 today, having traded between $1.08 and $3.13 in the last 12 months

They are beautiful crafts --- imagine a dreamliner glamourised in teal ... mmmmm

They are beautiful crafts --- imagine a dreamliner glamourised in teal ... mmmmm

The Dreamliners do look FANNYTASTIC - can't wait to fly on one. Both Rob and I love the 777's, the smaller bigger planes are the BEES KNEES.

^^ Oh, I forgot to put that I hope Christchurch sees a bit more international flight action from Air New Zealand with these fab aircraft.

CHC - LAX - CHC on a 787, I think that would suit a LOT of people.

I think that it is great news that Air NZ is getting 3 777-300er and having one of the most environmentally freindly fleets in the world.

The 787 is beautiful!!!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Boeing_787_Roll-out.jpg

Here is the 777-300

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Emirates_B777-300ER_A6-EBD.jpg/800px-Emirates_B777-300ER_A6-EBD.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Air_Canada_777.jpg/800px-Air_Canada_777.jpg

Thats good news for out national airline, go Air NZ!

Air New Zealand To Add Boeing 777-300ERs To Long-Range Fleet
August 06, 2007 11:18 AM


KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- The Boeing Company and Air New Zealand last Friday signed a definitive agreement for the purchase of four Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners and options for three additional 777-300ERs, as the carrier continues its push toward operating the most fuel-efficient fleet of airliners.

The signing and announcement event was attended by Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe and Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President - Asia Pacific Sales Stan Deal.

The ceremony took place at Air New Zealand's Auckland headquarters, said Boeing in a statement released here today.

The four new airplanes have an estimated value of US$1.1 billion at Boeing list prices and are powered by General Electric GE90-115BL engines, the world's largest and most powerful commercial jet engine.

"These new -300ERs will help us build on the success we've had with our existing 777s," said Fyfe.

"There's no doubting the 777's passenger appeal, and its fuel efficiency is a very good fit with our very strong commitment to the environment.

"Tourists come to New Zealand to enjoy our unspoiled environment, so it's critically important that we bring them here in the most fuel efficient aircraft," he said.

With its twin-engine efficiency, the 777-300ER reduces fuel consumption by more than 20 percent per seat compared to its closest competitor, therefore reducing CO2 emissions by more than 20 percent.

Since entering into service in 2004, the overall fuel efficiency of the 777-300ER has been improved by 3.6 percent through a combination of improved fuel burn in service and enhancements to the airplane.

In addition, the range of the 777-300ER has increased by 630 nautical miles (1200 km) since entry into service.

"Air New Zealand is known for its customer focus and provides an outstanding passenger experience, particularly with its 777-200ER fleet," said Deal.

"Air New Zealand was one of the first to recognize the economic benefits of 777/787 mixed-fleet operations and we believe that by giving passengers what they want nonstop flights in modern planes Air New Zealand is well positioned for continued success."

Air New Zealand will use the new 777s to replace its 747-400s.

Air New Zealand was the first airline in the South Pacific region to become a 777 customer, with a 777-200ER delivery in December 2005.

Air New Zealand currently operates an all-Boeing twin-aisle fleet of eight 777-200ERs, eight 747-400s and five 767-300ERs.

Air New Zealand has also ordered eight 787-9 Dreamliners with options for a further eight.

The 777 family of airplanes is popular with passengers and airlines alike due to its fuel-efficient twin-engine design, high reliability, low operating costs, and comfortable and spacious interior.

The 777-300ER carries up to 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 kilometers).

The 777 is the clear leader in the 300- to 400-seat segment with 65 percent of the market, and unfilled orders in excess of 340 airplanes valued at approximately US$87 billion at current list prices.

Airlines worldwide have ordered more than 990 777s.

--BERNAMA

Air NZ may suffer as more shun Heathrow (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4162429a13.html)
By ROELAND van den BERGH - The Dominion Post | Monday, 13 August 2007

Air New Zealand services to London Heathrow could come under pressure as passengers shun the increasingly chaotic airport.

The International Air Transport Association has said Heathrow traffic is down 1.7 per cent at a time when the global aviation market is growing at 6.3 per cent a year.

"The unfortunate reality is that passengers are avoiding the mess at Heathrow," IATA director-general Giovanni Bisignani said.

A lack of investment by BAA, the British airports authority, had resulted in "embarrassingly low service levels on everything from security wait times to baggage delivery and almost everything in between", Mr Bisignani said.

Bags can take an hour to arrive on pickup carousels because of equipment shortages, and Britain's unique security checks cause long queues and delays.

Heathrow is the only European gateway for Air New Zealand, which flies there twice daily via Hong Kong or Los Angeles.

House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said travellers who had a continental European leg to their holiday were increasingly opting to fly direct to cities such as Rome or Paris on rival airlines, then take a train to Britain, rather than incurring the higher cost and inconvenience of Heathrow.

Air New Zealand was also likely to miss out on picking up those passengers for their journey home from London because return fares were typically booked on one airline.

Mr Thomas said the main reason people shunned Heathrow was to avoid paying higher taxes, which, at $146 on a return ticket, were about three times higher than at Frankfurt, or six times more than at Rome.

IATA has accused Heathrow of "pocketing a 42 per cent margin at the expense of the 68 million beleaguered passengers using its poor facilities each year".

But Air New Zealand said it was not experiencing "a significant shift in passenger behaviour" to avoid Heathrow.

"Heathrow is the destination for most of our passengers and the UK market is four times larger than any other European market," spokeswoman Tracey Palmer said.

Air New Zealand's United States and London flights were 84.4 per cent full in June, up 8.4 per cent on a year earlier.

But Air New Zealand faces stiff competition from some of the world's biggest airlines that fly from Auckland and Christchurch to almost anywhere in Europe.

Singapore Airlines flies one-stop to 10 points in continental Europe and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific to three points, both in addition to British services.

Dubai airline Emirates has said Newcastle would become its sixth British gateway next month, adding to 16 destinations in continental Europe via Australia and Dubai.

Early bookings from Newcastle showed New Zealand was the seventh most popular end destination for those passengers. Mr Thomas said Emirates was not having a big impact on Air New Zealand's British market, but was opening other British and European arrival options.

Air New Zealand does have codeshare agreements with Star Alliance partner Lufthansa on direct services to Frankfurt and Munich from Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Shanghai. But with its long-haul fleet fully utilised when the new service to Vancouver starts in November, it has little scope to add to its own British or European network till new Boeings begin arriving from 2010.

At the end of the day despite the mess and the absolute sh1thole of an airport it is, LHR is still one of the most lucrative destinations in Europe with a large and relatively affluent catchment area in the southern part of England in addition to the huge amount of business travel into and out of London, which after all is a major world business centre. Those avoiding LHR for other secondary airports are more often leisure passengers (holiday makers, students, those visiting friends/relatives etc), a group whom airlines typically classify as 'lower-yielding'. Why? Because leisure passengers typically pay less for their tickets as they are more price-sensitive, they have more flexibile schedules, and book their tickets well in advance unlike those business travellers who often need to fly out on short notice, with have very inflexible schedules, and are willing to pay a premium to get on the flight they need. Hence why getting the business travellers are so important to the 'bottom line' of many airlines and hence why they work hard to attract these 'higher-yielding' types.

In addition, NZ-UK travel market is larger than the NZ-Continental Europe by a long way.

NZ's LHR flights are fine, best not to get carried away and make mountains out of molehills.

Air NZ may suffer as more shun Heathrow (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4162429a13.html)
By ROELAND van den BERGH - The Dominion Post | Monday, 13 August 2007

Singapore Airlines flies one-stop to 10 points in continental Europe and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific to three points, both in addition to British services.



Poor fact-checking, Cathay flies to Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, and Rome in continental Europe. I'm also struggling to find Singapore's 10th continental European destination too. So far I've got Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. BA only flies to Asia from LHR, nowhere else from the UK or continental Europe for that matter.

^^ NZ newspapers are rubbish, their factchecking and investigation work is absolute bullshit.

When the NZ herald did their article on internet speeds thru all the broadband compaines they asked 5 people for each company all at the same time what speed they were getting. RUBBISH REPORTING.

Auckland Airport seeks expressions of interest
SCOOP - Tuesday, 14 August 2007, 2:35 pm

Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL), as part of the ongoing implementation of its Masterplan: 2025 and Beyond (Masterplan), is seeking Expressions of Interest from developers, investors and operators for a proposed 4-5 star 250 room terminal hotel to be developed adjacent to, and integrated with, the international terminal at Auckland Airport. AIAL's current intention is for the hotel to be open and fully operational before the Rugby World Cup 2011 to be held in New Zealand in September/October 2011 and expectations are that such a facility would be welcomed by both domestic and international travellers.

The proposed hotel will also be ideally positioned in relation to a new domestic terminal building, as described in the Masterplan, if it co-locates as envisaged with the international terminal. The hotel's unique architecture and interior design is expected to showcase the rich landscape and multi-cultural nature of New Zealand, Auckland and Manukau City. It will provide a personalised welcome and departure point for hotel guests, which could include holiday and business travellers, meeting attendees, aircrew and disrupted airline passengers. The proposed hotel concept comprises spacious 32m2 rooms of 4-5 star international standard and guest facilities, including meeting rooms, restaurants, bar, retail, travel desk, gymnasium, swimming pool, spa, business centre, library, movie theatre and carpark facilities, subject to the specific requirements of the selected hotel investor and operator.

The location of the hotel in the international terminal follows an increasing trend of international airports around the world providing an on-terminal hotel for the convenience of their travellers. A recent new example is the proposed Crowne Plaza hotel at the upcoming Terminal 3 of Singapore Changi Airport. AIAL is being assisted by Horwath HTL Ltd (Auckland), which is facilitating the process to select a suitable investor and operator for the 4 - 5 star hotel. Details of the hotel development, investment and management opportunity, the process which AIAL is undertaking to realise this opportunity and the Request for Expression of Interest ("REI") document is available to select prospective developers, investors and operators and can be requested by emailing Horwath HTL Ltd (Auckland) at AucklandAirportHotel@horwath.co.nz.

NZ super stakes Auckland Airport claim (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4166961a13.html)
By DAVID HARGREAVES - Fairfax Media | Thursday, 16 August 2007

The New Zealand Super Fund has stepped into the takeover battle for Auckland International Airport - taking a 6 per cent shareholding in the company in conjunction with infrastructure investor Infratil.

Wellington-based Infratil disclosed the stake this morning in an announcement to NZX.

The Super Fund, often known as the Cullen Fund, was established by the Government to assist with New Zealand's future pension needs. The Government makes regular contributions to the fund from taxpayers' money, but has no control over the operations of the fund itself.

The fund's involvement, along with Infratil, which owns Wellington Airport, casts great doubt on whether a takeover offer from Dubai Aerospace for Auckland Airport can succeed.

Infratil chief executive Lloyd Morrison said this morning that his company had an "open mind" on the Dubai proposal. But he went on to say: "We expect to be involved in considerably more discussion over what the optimal ownership, control and capital structure of Auckland Airport should be and believe there is a strong business case for New Zealand investment."

The Dubai takeover proposal is set to be voted on by Auckland Airport shareholders in November. It requires 75 per cent support.

The Auckland City and Manukau City Councils collectively control about 23 per cent of the Auckland Airport shares. If the two councils and the Cullen Fund and Infratil each vote against the proposal it will fail.

Mr Morrison said Auckland Airport was "one of New Zealand's leading infrastructure assets with great long term growth potential".

Today's move is likely to please the Government, which has indicated a preference for keeping the airport in New Zealand hands.
----

Tuesday, 21 August 2007

Virgin Blue subsidiary Pacific Blue plans to announce details later this week of its entry into New Zealand's domestic airline market.

On Thursday the company, which flies international routes to and from New Zealand, will unveil launch routes, fares and long term strategy for the new low-cost domestic airline.

A company press release said the new airline would bring 'affordable fares and competition to New Zealand'.

New Zealand's domestic air routes are dominated by Air New Zealand with Qantas flying a smaller number of flights.

Travel agents have welcomed the surprise announcement that low cost carrier Virgin will become a player in the domestic market.

Flight Centre general manager Rick Hamilton said the introduction of the airline to domestic routes would be a terrific boost for New Zealand consumers and to tourism in this country.

"Increased competition can only be a good thing for New Zealand travellers, who have been demanding more flight availability," said Mr Hamilton.

Mr Hamilton says the arrival of Virgin will also make Virgin's Australian and Pacific Island routes more accessible to New Zealanders.

Virgin Airlines is a low cost carrier that has revolutionised Australia's domestic and international air transport networks with a highly competitive, 'no-frills', but fun service.

Mr Hamilton says business travellers will also benefit greatly from Virgin's flights.

:banana:

At the end of the day despite the mess and the absolute sh1thole of an airport it is, LHR is still one of the most lucrative destinations in Europe with a large and relatively affluent catchment area in the southern part of England in addition to the huge amount of business travel into and out of London, which after all is a major world business centre. Those avoiding LHR for other secondary airports are more often leisure passengers (holiday makers, students, those visiting friends/relatives etc), a group whom airlines typically classify as 'lower-yielding'. Why? Because leisure passengers typically pay less for their tickets as they are more price-sensitive, they have more flexibile schedules, and book their tickets well in advance unlike those business travellers who often need to fly out on short notice, with have very inflexible schedules, and are willing to pay a premium to get on the flight they need. Hence why getting the business travellers are so important to the 'bottom line' of many airlines and hence why they work hard to attract these 'higher-yielding' types.

In addition, NZ-UK travel market is larger than the NZ-Continental Europe by a long way.

NZ's LHR flights are fine, best not to get carried away and make mountains out of molehills.



Poor fact-checking, Cathay flies to Amsterdam, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, and Rome in continental Europe. I'm also struggling to find Singapore's 10th continental European destination too. So far I've got Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. BA only flies to Asia from LHR, nowhere else from the UK or continental Europe for that matter.

Singapore also fly from Manchester - that might be it?

Heres all the details, hype etc from the press release. Looks good for NZ - some real competition at last. Cheap airfares! :banana:

Virgin, Pacific Blue Announce New Domestic Airline
Thursday, 23 August 2007, 10:41 am
Press Release: Virgin Blue

MEDIA RELEASE

Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue Announce New NZ Domestic Airline With “Pay a Visit Not a Fortune” $39* Fares


Thursday 23 August 2007: Virgin Blue Airlines and its three year old New Zealand subsidiary Pacific Blue today announced major plans for a new domestic airline for New Zealand with NZD$39* fares on sale from today for flights commencing in November 2007. Initially the carrier will fly on New Zealand’s key trunk routes Auckland-Wellington, Auckland-Christchurch and Wellington-Christchurch from 15 November 2007^.

The decision to enter the New Zealand domestic market comes in the wake of strong support and lobbying from the New Zealand community for Pacific Blue to bring its service style and competitive fares to internal New Zealand flights in the same way it has done on the trans-Tasman and South Pacific routes.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “The decision was not taken lightly as it is a major investment and a long term commitment to keeping the “air fair” in New Zealand. The time is right to bring some much needed competition to the existing duopolistic market and we are excited to be opening up new travel opportunities for both the people of New Zealand as well as inbound tourists.”

Brett Godfrey continued, “When Richard Branson visited New Zealand in January this year to celebrate Pacific Blue’s third birthday, he promised that domestic services were something of interest to us under the right circumstances and at the right time. We are confident the circumstances are now right and there is room for competition and an obvious need for market stimulation. Pacific Blue is well positioned to give the existing players a good run for their money, particularly on the monopolistic Wellington-Christchurch route.”

Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson said, "I am absolutely delighted to announce that Pacific Blue will soon be shaking up the New Zealand domestic market and bringing its unmistakable fun, flair and affordability to travel within New Zealand. I enjoyed a wonderful trip to New Zealand earlier this year, where I saw first hand the great enthusiasm and support for Pacific Blue. I am thrilled that we can further enhance our commitment to the local market with the launch of our domestic operations. We look forward to Pacific Blue spreading its wings and bringing long term domestic bliss, perhaps not for the competition, but certainly for locals and visitors travelling within New Zealand."

The airline will take delivery of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to join the Pacific Blue fleet and operate both international and domestic New Zealand routes. The routes are tailored to suit the needs of the market in terms of frequency and schedule:

Auckland–Wellington

Five direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39* one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available now until 16 September 2007 or until sold out and is for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008. Fair fares will start from $69 one way on the net, 22% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.

Auckland–Christchurch

Two direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39* one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available now until 16 September 2007 or until sold out and is for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008. Fair fares will start from $79 one way on the net, 30% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.

Wellington–Christchurch

Three direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39* one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available now until 16 September 2007 or until sold out and is for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008. Fair fares will start from $69 one way on the net, 12% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.

To ensure maximum benefit for Guests travelling for pleasure as well as business, the internal flights will complement Pacific Blue’s existing international services, providing convenient connections from within New Zealand to Australia, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

Adrian Hamilton-Manns, General Manager Commercial, said, “The people of New Zealand have supported Pacific Blue in its quest to bring true low fares, genuine competition and fun and flair to trans-Tasman travel and that very support has given us the motivation to bring the same product and affordability to the domestic market where it is much needed.

“It is no secret that the existing domestic duopoly results in higher fares and half-hearted competition and we very much look forward to challenging that and championing affordability for local travel.”

Domestic flights are now on sale and can be booked via the website (www.flypacificblue.com), by calling 0800 670 000, or by contacting a travel agent. Members of the Velocity Loyalty program will also be able to earn and redeem points when they fly domestically in New Zealand.

Pacific Blue plans to double its staff numbers over the next three years as it ramps up domestic operations. New Zealanders interested in joining the dynamic Pacific Blue team in a range of roles can email pacificblue.jobs@flypacificblue.com.


About Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, and Virgin Blue Airlines

International airlines Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, along with Australian domestic airline Virgin Blue, operate a fleet of 53 modern Boeing 737 aircraft flying to eight international and 22 Australian destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.


^ subject to regulatory approval

* All fares are one-way for flights booked on the internet, $15 more by phone. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or during peak periods. On sale until 16 September 2007 or until sold out for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008.

I'm also struggling to find Singapore's 10th continental European destination too. So far I've got Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Paris CDG, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen.
Istanbul and Moscow which actually makes 11. :)

No more Freedom Air from March 2008
6 September 2007
Air New Zealand has advised that the Freedom Air brand will be withdrawn from 30 March 2008.
Stephen Jones, Air New Zealand's general manager Tasman and Pacific airline dropped in on Palmerston North International Airport yesterday afternoon to advise that from 30 March 2008 the Freedom Air services will not be replaced with Air New Zealand services.

Mr Jones said it will be business as usual up to 30 March and that they would be doing a number of things to attract passenger support during that period.

Airport CEO Garry Goodman has described Air New Zealand's decision as extremely disappointing and said every effort will be made over the next six months to encourage other airlines to pick up that gap in the market.

Mr Goodman said the underlying passenger demand is still there and its simply a matter of an airline tapping into that opportunity.

The number of people traveling to Australia out of the airport's potential catchment (irrespective of which NZ airport they flew from) have continued to increase. In the 12 months to 30 June 2007 increases were 4.3% for Brisbane, 1.9% for Melbourne, 7.6% for the Gold Coast, and a drop of 2.7% for Sydney.

The number of outbound NZ residents actually travelling to Brisbane and Melbourne via Palmerston North airport during this period exceeded the numbers travelling through each of Hamilton and Dunedin. The number through Palmerston North to Sydney were only marginally less than those of Hamilton and Dunedin.

And inbound overseas visitor numbers using Palmerston North airport have also been increasing - up 10.9% in the six months to 30 June 2007 despite significantly reduced services by comparison with the previous year. (The national average increase in inbound overseas visitors was up 5.6%). International visitor numbers through the airport have traditionally been lower for Palmerston North (7,648 for the six months to June 2007) by comparison with Hamilton (10,375) and Dunedin (8,682) - but not significantly so, and the current marketing work being undertaken by the region will bring those numbers up.

Air New Zealand's decision does not change the airport's development plans. "It is now all the more urgent that the runway safety areas and extension are completed to give prospective airlines long-term certainty for international services, and a capacity that will offer them competitive efficiency advantages" said Mr Goodman.

In the twelve months to 30 June 2007 some 81,034 passengers used Palmerston North International Airport on international sectors.

731,077 passengers have used the international services since they started in April 1996 - just over 11 years ago.

Heya and welcome to the forum! :)

That's really bad news for Palmerston North. I wonder if it will affect the number of people travelling to Australia from that area as now it requires a longer journey to Wellington to fly?

Gday,
New to this sight. Sad news about Freedom. They should take note of how much profit QANTAS are making out of Jetstar. New Zealand's domestic airline scene sounds like it is really ready for a huge shake up. Virgin starting on the 15th November, Tiger Airways looking very much like they will start up domestic operations mid 2008, Jetstar also expressing a strong likelyhood of setting up a dometic operation in New Zealand possibly to replace Qantas and the Kiwijet which should start up sometime late next year. To make things even more interesting Air New Zealand are looking at Whenuapai and Paraparamu. If Air New Zealand give support to the developers who were knocked back by Kapiti council in February, who wanted to spend $750 million on redeveloping the airport , maybe it could be a possibility.:banana:

Air New Zealand Paints The Sky Pink
SCOOP - Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 11:42 am

Attention passengers, Air New Zealand is now boarding rows one through FABULOUS. Today, the airline announced its first North American "Pink Flight," in celebration of the 2008 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Departing on a Boeing 777 from San Francisco International Airport on February 26, 2008, the Pink Flight will sweep its passengers away in style from one side of the Pacific to the other, lavishing upon them everything from pink drinks to drag queens. For more than 300 glamorous gays (and any other fun-loving friends) who buy tickets, the party will start far before the final boarding call. Pink Flight passengers are encouraged to show up at the airport in their most extravagant Mardi Gras costumes, and Air New Zealand will throw a "Get-Onboard-Girlfriend!" going away bash at the departure gate. Once onboard, the Pink Flight will boast a full program of entertainment - such as live performances, on-board music, contests and screenings of classic gay-themed films on Air New Zealand's digital in-flight entertainment system (IFE). Because it is an overnight flight, there will also be a period of scheduled "Beauty Sleep." Additionally, passengers will enjoy pink-themed food, cocktails, goodie bags and a "Party Party Wake-Up" before landing.

"Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the most spectacular costume events in the world, so we feel it's only fitting to offer a flight that truly embodies the spirit of the celebration in an unforgettable way," said Roger Poulton, Air New Zealand's vice president - the Americas. "Air New Zealand takes pride in our gay-friendliness and sense of fun, so this Pink Flight will be a blast for everyone involved!" Along with the announcement of the flight, Air New Zealand is also launching today a special micro site for the Pink Flight, www.airnewzealand.com/pinkflight, where visitors can book their spot. Earlier this year, Air New Zealand operated its first-ever Pink Flight, which flew from Auckland to Sydney for the 2007 Mardi Gras. The flight, which featured similar themed activities, was a resounding success and scored international media attention. As the national airline of New Zealand, Air New Zealand reflects the country's diversity-embracing nature. New Zealand has a long history of liberal social reform and is also widely recognized as a friendly vacation destination for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. New Zealand voted the world's first transgender person into a national office when Georgina Beyer was elected to Parliament in 1999, and same-sex civil unions were recognized as an institution in New Zealand in 2004. For more information about Air New Zealand's Pink Flight, or to purchase a ticket, visit www.airnewzealand.com/pinkflight.

OMG :nuts: I wonder if the captain is a poof!!:lol: Men in uniform :banana: :banana: :banana: - that plane is going to be up and down all over the place. :nuts: :nuts: :)

Watch out all air traffic over the Pacific - 300 plus homos at 35,000 feet and SCREAMING!! :) :nuts: :)

Imagine what baggage claim is going to be like :lol: :lol: :lol: :banana:

OMG, cute.

Ya so funny Davee:banana:

OMG :nuts: I wonder if the captain is a poof!!:lol: Men in uniform :banana: :banana: :banana: - that plane is going to be up and down all over the place. :nuts: :nuts: :)

Watch out all air traffic over the Pacific - 300 plus homos at 35,000 feet and SCREAMING!! :) :nuts: :)

Imagine what baggage claim is going to be like :lol: :lol: :lol: :banana:

^^ ^^ ^^ :lol: :lol: So are you Marky...........:banana: :lol:

Enigma would only do First Class on that flight - imagine what that would be like!!!!!

^^ ^^ ^^ :lol: :lol: So are you Marky...........:banana: :lol:

Enigma would only do First Class on that flight - imagine what that would be like!!!!!

LOL - you know me too well ..... I will trying to find new and inventive ways to use the "Bollie" on-board ....... mmmmmmm - foreskins might make great champagne flutes :lol: :lol: :lol:

LOL - you know me too well ..... I will trying to find new and inventive ways to use the "Bollie" on-board ....... mmmmmmm - foreskins might make great champagne flutes :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'll drink to that - Louis Chesnel, Tattenger...what the hell, any old bubbly will do, just give me the flute :bowtie: ;) :scouserd:

In todays Dominion Post there is an article about Air New Zealand starting Q300 flights out of Paraparamu airport by 2009. It will not cancel any Wellington flights but see this as a separate growth market. There could be some more news in regards to future development here. :)

AIAL’s annual result shows solid growth AIAL has announced another solid annual result with total revenue for the year ended 30 June 2007 at $321.9 million, 5.3 per cent up on the previous year. There was solid revenue growth across all major aeronautical and commercial revenue lines, with the exception
of airfield income.

Earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (EBITDA) increased 1.1 per cent to $242.8 million. This included a significant increase of $9.9 million in the provision relating to the company’s long-term incentive plans (LTI), resulting from the considerable rise in the company’s share price in the month prior to year-end. Excluding LTI, EBITDA increased 5.2 per cent to $252.7 million. Surplus after tax for the year was $92.0 million, or $101.9 million excluding LTI.

Significant progress was made in major projects to expand and upgrade Auckland Airport. The new $85 million project to expand the arrivals facilities at the international terminal is on track, with the first stage due to open in April next year. Work on the new A380-capable Pier B at the international terminal is also under way with completion planned for September 2008.

This year the company invested $105.4 million in airport expansion and development projects, including $44.1 million for the international terminal’s expanded arrivals project and $20.6 million for the domestic terminal’s upgrade and retail precinct. The company also invested $18 million in property developments.

In the 2008 year, AIAL expects to invest around $161 million, bringing to an end a four-year $500 million upgrade of Auckland Airport. The company has also commenced work on the first stage of the northern runway, which is expected to cost around $32 million over four years and to be operational in late 2010 or 2011.

In conjunction with the announcement of the shareholder proposal involving Dubai Aerospace Enterprises, AIAL announced a fully imputed dividend of 7 cents per share would be paid to shareholders prior to the proposed restructuring. The directors have declared a fully imputed dividend of 4.45 cents per share (amounting to $54.4 million) which will be paid on 19 October 2007 (to those shareholders on the register on 12 October 2007).

This amount is consistent with last year’s final dividend. The balance of the 7 cents per share dividend, being 2.55 cents per share, will be paid to shareholders if all conditions relating to the proposal have been satisfied, but before the restructuring is completed.

The annual meeting of shareholders will take place at 10.30am on Tuesday
20 November, at the Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Race Course, Greenlane, not on 25 October as previously advised.

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Shell goes up over international terminal’s expanded arrivals building

More than 150 tradespeople are ensuring the steady progress of the international terminal’s expanded arrivals area at Auckland Airport, with more expected to join the workforce soon to meet the complex requirements of this huge project.

A major task currently under way is the cladding of the shell of the main building whose frame and floors were recently completed. Wall cladding is complete along the northern façade and is progressing along the roof. Glazing is due to start shortly.

Inside the new building on Level 1, construction of an in-ceiling crawl-way and cable tray system is almost complete, and installation of building services (HVAC ducts, sprinkler pipes and cabling) is in progress.

Structural work is well advanced along the Pier A connector. The airbridge on Stand 1 has been relocated to create enough room for the connector. Stand 1 has been closed since March, but is now reopened for operational use for early-morning arrivals before being returned to the contractor for the rest of the working day.

Piling for the Pier B connector has been completed, with the next phase of work being construction of the pile caps and foundations.

Qantas have done a uturn on the New Zealand domestic market, it appears according to today's Dominion and other major papers that they are going to spend $3million on there facilities at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports. They are adding a 5th 737 to NZ and are aiming at the business market. They wouldn't reveal whether they would be introducing their Jetsar service. Jetsar have expressed a strong interest in the New Zealand domestic market. While Virgin are a certain starter, Tiger Airways are also strongly tipped to enter the NZ market mid next, which I stated in an earlier post. Kiwijet are also starting, while Air Nelson are increasing their fleet of Q300s to 23. Very interesting times ahead.

NZ Herald
2007/10/25 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10472069)


A new air service from Dunedin to Queenstown is being welcomed by the local business community.

Dunedin-based Mainland Air is to launch the service next month, with the possibility of further connections to Wanaka and Invercargill.

Otago Chamber of Commerce chief John Christie says the move stacks up financially, and will save people valuable time.

He says at the moment a lot of people make the trip regularly by road, and they will be relieved to have hours cut off their journey times.

John Christie says the new air service will also boost tourism in the region.

He says it will provide an opportunity for cruise passengers stopping off in Dunedin to make a day trip to Queenstown.

Yehhhh!!!!:) Go the deep South!!:banana:

30 October 2007:banana:
Palmerston North International Airport and Ozjet Airlines are pleased to announce agreement to commence scheduled services from Palmerston North in late March 2008 subject to regulatory approvals.
The initial route structure will involve services to Brisbane (Gold Coast), Sydney, and Melbourne with the schedule to be determined in the coming weeks.

Palmerston North International Airport CEO, Garry Goodman said that he is thrilled with the Ozjet proposal. “It is critical that we have alternative international services established before 31 March so that all border services are maintained, let alone continuity of service for our customers” he said.

Willie O'Neill, CEO of Ozjet airlines says "This project has developed very quickly as a result of overwhelming co-operation and support from everyone we have met. We feel we can deliver the product that the region requires."

"This agreement has been reached after involving a number of local agencies and strategic partners" said Mr O'Neill.

Kathy Gibson, CEO of Destination Manawatu said she had been very impressed with the way the decision-makers from Ozjet had proactively worked quickly with the local community to bring this to fruition.

"We are discussing a trans-Tasman marketing package that focuses on using the airport as a central gateway for visitors to the wider region" she said. "While we have been actively marketing at a consumer level to the eastern seaboard of Australia for the last 5 years, the opportunity with Ozjet cranks this to a higher level."

Mrs Gibson said "The world is our oyster and we are excited with the innovation these guys are showing. The regional community needs to be as committed as we are to make this work."

Vision Manawatu Chief Executive Andrew Powrie said that the advent of OZJET is one of the greatest economic initiatives Palmerston North has seen in the last 20 years. "I take my hat off to those people in the Manawatu who made it happen."

"OZJET is an innovative, go-forward airline that will be a key strategic asset in both the Manawatu and lower North Island. The airline is vital for our strong and growing local economy and we estimate the carrier will conservatively generate $60 million for the region a year. In Manawatu, our road, rail and air infrastructure underpin our economic performance and the city's multi-modal transport capability has been cited by a number of businesses as the reason for being based in the region", Mr Powrie said.

"We also must have an international airline to serve the one million people within a 200 kilometre radius of the city who don't want the expense or stress of travelling to Auckland or Wellington to make the short journey across the ditch. OZJET is a big win for all of us."

Ozjet will be introducing a B737-300 aircraft in a business class and an economy class configuration.

Mr O'Neill said Ozjet has no plans for expansion of scheduled passenger services from other parts of New Zealand. "This opportunity has presented itself as a direct consequence of Freedom Air's withdrawal."

"We see this as an initiative that will not only help the economic development of the region, but will provide employment and servicing opportunities for locals" he said.

Mr Goodman said that in announcing the withdrawal of services at the end of March 2008, Freedom Air had said that they expected the region to seek an alternative airline and they would not stand in the way.

Ozjet is an Australian airline which commenced charter operations and regular passenger services last year. It offers services to Norfolk Island eight times per week from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Earlier this year it began operating flights three times a week between Perth and Bali.

Ozjet also operates on behalf of Airlines of PNG and Solomon Air, as well as a scheduled service between Perth and Derby

I hoped the A380 doesn't come here. That plane is an ugly piece of shit, I don't want to at it ever.

Would you prefer this...

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I hoped the A380 doesn't come here.

You don't hope any more?


That plane is an ugly piece of shit, I don't want to at it ever.

is this like a ''fill the blank'' party game kind of idea?

^^ :rofl::lol::rofl:

I hoped the A380 doesn't come here. That plane is an ugly piece of shit, I don't want to at it ever.

Since when does it matter if aircraft are aesthetically pleasing??? - they spend the majority of their lifetime 10km above the earth anyway....

I do like the kids 'guess the missing word' party game though it is kind of fun!
:lol::lol:

and Kane007 - what is that!!!!:nuts:

^^ Awesome :)

Na, just a future concept proposal from Northrop Grumman.

I hoped the A380 doesn't come here. That plane is an ugly piece of shit, I don't want to at it ever.
Then you might prefer this? :)

http://varifrank.com/images/787Dreamliner.jpg

^^
Unfortunately the snazzy tail aint happening with the 787

CPP pushes investment in N.Z. airport
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 | 4:43 PM ET
CBC News

A huge Canadian pension fund is trying to get around the board of New Zealand's largest airport by making a bid directly to the facility's shareholders.

The CPP Investment Board said Tuesday that it will bid for up to 40 per cent of Auckland International Airport Ltd. (AIAL) after the company's directors broke off talks on Oct. 31.

"In the past few days, we have received strong encouragement from AIAL shareholders that they would like the opportunity to consider our proposal directly," Mark Wiseman, CPPIB senior vice president of private investments, said in a release.

The pension plan said it will bid $3.6555 New Zealand (about $2.62 Cdn) cash per share for up to 40 per cent of the airport's shares. The bid is a 63-per-cent premium to the price before takeover speculation drove it up.

The airport's board rejected the CPPIB proposal, disclosed in September, because the financial structure entailed too much risk.

Toronto-based CPPIB's proposal would have increased the airport's debt from about $650 million Cdn. this year to about $1.8 billion Cdn. in five years, the airport's directors said in a statement.
"While CPPIB would no doubt have been a committed long-term investor, they are clearly not able to bring industry or tourism experience," the directors said.

It would also limit the airport's growth potential, they said.

One director, however, liked the pension fund's proposal and wanted it to be put before shareholders with the directors' backing.

Wiseman said the pension plan's decision to make the offer "in no way detracts from our desire to work with the company and its management team to further the growth and development of the airport's business."

The offer will not require a shareholder vote under New Zealand rules.

The airport's market capitalization is about $2.6 billion Cdn.

The CPP Investment Board, which has assets worth about $120.5 billion, invests the funds not needed by the Canada Pension Plan to pay current benefits on behalf of 17 million Canadian contributors and beneficiaries.

Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bangkok

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^^
Wow, that certainly is stunning!!

You don't hope any more?



is this like a ''fill the blank'' party game kind of idea?

Mistakes were made. It happened. I still hope this ugly and sinister aircraft will not blacken our blue skies. And please, it's hardly a game! It should be obvious what word goes there. It's not rocket surgery ...

Suvarnabhumi is a nicely designed airport with excellent facilities but in terms of convenience it can be a bit of a drag especially if you have just arrived in the airport for thirty minutes to go onto a connecting flight to Phuket which is on the other end of the terminal!

WOW that's awesome. Hong Kong is probably my favourite tho.

Terminal 3 AKA: T3 Beijing International Airport

China lifts the lid on Foster's new airport


· Beijing terminal to open on time and within budget
· Huge pool of labourers helped speed up project

Jonathan Watts in Beijing
Thursday September 13, 2007
The Guardian


It is about twice the size, half the cost and planned and built in almost a third of the time. When Beijing's new airport terminal opens in February, comparisons with Heathrow's Terminal 5 will be inevitable and not entirely flattering to London.
The Chinese capital's new gateway to the skies was given its first international airing today after a three-and-a-half-year sprint to construct the world's biggest airport complex for next year's Olympics.


With 245 acres (99 hectares) of floor space, Terminal 3 of Capital Airport is bigger than all five Heathrow terminals combined. Once it comes into operation, Beijing expects to strengthen its position as a transport hub. With 66 million passengers forecast next year, it will jump from the ninth to third busiest airport.
Airport managers estimate the building costs of the Norman Foster-designed terminal at 21bn yuan (£1.6bn), compared with the £3.5bn price tag of its equivalent designed by Richard Rogers in London.

The main building is reminiscent of Lord Foster's other airports, though even more spectacular. It has the same light and airy glass wall entrance and high ceiling as Stansted and Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok. The double-skinned aluminium canopy -silver slats under a russet roof - shimmer for half a mile.

Airport authorities reportedly asked Lord Foster to incorporate the bright tones found in the Forbidden City. They are evident in the tapering red pillars and the brown-gold roof shaped like the back of a dragon.

But the darker colours - and cost-cutting that reduced the number of skylights - make parts of the interior gloomier than usual for Lord Foster.

Guides reel off statistics on an epic Chinese scale. The three buildings of Terminal 3 are home to 445 lifts, 1,800 miles of cables and a car park for 7,000 vehicles. There is a road network and a light railway under construction which ends at a terminus shaped like a giant glass turtle. At its peak the workforce numbered 50,000.

The pace of construction is unimaginable in most other countries. Building work started on August 7 2004 and is expected to be finished by the end of this year. The public consultation alone on Heathrow's Terminal 5 took longer.

Why so quick? Jeff Martin, deputy project manager for Siemens, one of the main contractors, said it was simple: "There is so much available labour. If I say we need 500 extra workers tomorrow, then I will get them. In the US, you would have to go through unions and it would take much, much longer."

Mr Martin said construction was on track for a February opening. The buildings are completed and fitting-out the interior is proceeding rapidly. The workforce has been trimmed to 8,000 and trials began this week on the state-of-the-art baggage handling system. Its designers boast that its 20-mile network of conveyor belts can handle 20,000 bags per hour and shift suitcases at a speed of 10 metres per second, more than double the rate at Heathrow.

Another reason for the speed of construction is the power of the authorities to relocate residents. Managers say 10,000 people have been resettled. A promotional video boasts that there have been no appeals over land acquisition, although the Guardian has learned that those who tried to protest could not file official complaints.

One family who lived in Gangshan village say they were cheated into signing a deal for low compensation.

"Whenever I think about it, I feel bitter and full of pain," said the daughter, a teacher who gave only her English name, Cindy. "With the compensation they gave, we can only afford one apartment that I have to share with my parents, my brother and his wife. It is as though we have gone from rich to poor overnight." However, the airport's general manager, Zhang Zhizhong, said the resettlement had been well received.

Even with the mass resettlement and the huge new terminal, Beijing does not believe it has enough capacity. A working group is now searching for a second site.

In numbers


50,000
Number of workers employed at the site during peak construction

445 The number of passenger lifts to be fitted at the new Terminal 3 building

1,800 The number of miles of electric cabling throughout the site

20,000 The number of suitcases and bags that can be processed each hour

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One Giant Airport

By Richard Spencer, in Beijing
Last Updated: 2:29am BST 13/09/2007



According to its designers, it is built to resemble a Chinese dragon. Its structural plan is a homage to the architectural marvel that is the Forbidden City.

Less kindly, its tapering curves have been compared to a giant thong.


The new multi-billion dollar airport terminal is meant to impress visitors to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing


What no-one doubts is that Beijing's giant new airport, the latest part of the city's Olympic masterplan to be unveiled to the world, is yet another contribution to the record books, and another example of China's world-beating ambition.

Since its first pile was driven into the dry plain north-east of Beijing three years ago, the only view visitors have had of the construction site, teeming with 50,000 workers, was from the air as they came in to land.

From the existing terminals, all that could be seen looming out of the haze that hangs perpetually over the city was a three-mile long, low shape.

Yesterday, it was opened to the cameras for the first time, while its bosses unleashed a flood of statistics.

When it opens in February, it will not just be the largest airport in the world. The new terminal, at 10,600,000 square feet, or 244 acres, or 235 football pitches, will alone be bigger than any other airport, without having to add the current two terminals into the equation.

advertisementIt is larger than Heathrow's four current terminals rolled into one.

Bigger by far than the Pentagon, the world's largest office block by floor space, it is just a few square feet smaller than the Aalsmeer flower auction house in Amsterdam, currently the world's biggest building.

It is preparing for a huge increase in numbers: the current facilities handle more than 48 million passengers a year, already more than double the number five years ago. By 2012, that is projected to be 90 million.

Terminal 2 itself was only opened in 1999 - even then, no-one foresaw the staggering economic growth that China has experienced since it joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001. Earlier this year, aviation authorities announced a cut in the number of flights allowable saying that the sheer numbers were threatening safety standards.

Officials also admit that passenger complaints are high due to an inability to train new staff fast enough.

Designed by Lord Norman Foster, whose airport projects have grown in size from his first, Stansted, through Hong Kong, currently the world's single biggest airport terminal, to Beijing, it has been constructed under the supervision of Arup, the British architectural engineers.

The terminal takes the form of three long, curved buildings, connected by automatic trains.

The steel and glass structures are unashamedly modern. But its three parts, following a straight line and visible from each other, are supposed to remind visitors of the Forbidden City, as are its golden roof and red columns.


A worker walks on the roof of the new terminal


The skylights that flood the interior with natural light stick up from the steel superstructure like scales, making the whole look from the outside like a giant uncoiled dragon. At the front, it nurses a turtle - the station for the new metro line which will rush passengers to the city centre in just 16 minutes.

Of course, such megastructures are easier in a place where government diktat takes the place of consultation.

The Beijing airport authorities yesterday said 10,000 people had seen their homes demolished to make way for the new terminal - a fraction of the 1.5 million people that have been evicted to make way for all the city's new stadia, metro lines, and other Olympic-related development.

Nevertheless, the whole project will be complete in about half the time it took for Heathrow Terminal Five just to win planning approval.

With the world's longest sea bridge, the third-highest building, and biggest metro system already under construction, China's ambitions are not stopping here.

"We are now planning a second airport," said Zhang Zhigong, the general manager. "We expect to start work on that in 2010."

It will be ready in 2015, when Mr Zhang expects even his new dragon to have reached capacity
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Beijing Capital International Airport Link's ART MK II Vehicles Debut in Changchun

On Sep. 7, the first train, which comprises 4 ART (Advanced Rapid Transit) MK II vehicles, that is to be used for Beijing Capital International Airport Link connecting Dongzhimen Station to the Beijing Capital International Airport using Bombardier's ART technology made its debut in Changchun.

In March 2006, Bombardier received an order from Changchun Railway Vehicles (CRC) as part of a contract awarded to CRC by the Beijing Dongzhimen Airport Express Rail Co. Ltd. for the supply of 40 ART MK II vehicles for the Beijing Capital International Airport Link.

It is known that Bombardier participates in project management and is responsible for vehicle systems engineering and integration, design and manufacture of the bogies as well as the propulsion and braking systems while Changchun Railway Vehicles (CRC) manufactures the 40 ART MK II vehicles.

Once fully operational, the airport link will serve four different stations: Dongzhimen, Sanyuanqiao, Beijing Capital International Airport's Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Passengers will be able to interchange trains conveniently at the Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao Stations, where connections to the 2008 Olympic village will be available.

In addition, a special lounge at the Dongzhimen Station will allow passengers to initiate flight-boarding procedures before arriving at the airport as well.
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Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is due to open for trial operation in March 2008 and to be fully operational by July 2008. It has been designed by the British-based architectural firm Foster and Partners, and is expected to be completed by early 2008. The budget of the expansion is US$3.5 billion.

Far grander in size and scale than the existing terminals. It will become the largest airport terminal building complex built in a single phase with 986,000 sq. meters in total floor area. It will feature a main passenger terminal(Terminal 3A), two satellite concourses(Terminal 3B and Terminal 3C) and five floors above ground and two underground.

System, Security and Luggage

A 300,000-sq.m transportation centre is located at T3’s front. Up to 7,000 car parking spaces will be available if the two-level underground parking lot is fully employed. The transportation centre will have three reserved lanes for different types of vehicles, airport buses, taxies and private vehicles, which will enable a smooth flow of passengers. People bound for T3 will exit their vehicles here and enter T3 via an aisle within five minutes. The transportation centre will also have a light-rail station on a line that begins at the Dongzhimen stop on the Beijing Subway in Central Beijing. Travel time from Dongzhimen to T3 will be about 18 minutes. User-friendly designs are widely used at T3.

There will be electrical outlets on either end of every row of seats in the terminal. There will be 243 elevators, escalators or moving foot paths; and every ordinary restroom is accompanied by a mothers’ room where diapers can be changed. There is also a room for travellers with disabilities.

One of Terminal 3 highlights is the US$240 million luggage-transfer system. Looking like an underground rollercoaster, the luggage system is equipped with yellow carts, each of whichhas a unique code, matching the bar code on every piece of luggage loaded on it, allowing easy and accurate tracking. More than 200 cameras will be used to strictly monitor activities in the luggage area; all blind spots will have been eliminated.

The luggage system can handle 19,200 pieces of luggage per hour. After luggage is checked in at any one of the 292 counters at Terminal 3A, they can be transferred at the speed of ten metres per second. Even for international routes, luggage can travel from T3A to T3B in five minutes. Arriving passengers should be able to begin retrieving their luggage within 4.5 minutes after airplanes are unloaded, greatly reducing passenger waiting times.

The system provides more security. Along with X-ray scanners, additional equipment was employed to conduct sophisticated checks such as explosive trace checks. Manual examinations can be used if a piece of luggage is found suspect. Passengers will be able to check in their luggage at the airport several hours or even a day before their flight. The airport will store them in its luggage system and then load them on the correct airplane.

The Look

A 98.3-metre monitoring tower stands at the southern end of T3, the highest building at the airport. The roof of T3 is red, the traditional Chinese colour for good luck. The terminal’s ceilings use white strips for decoration and to indicate directions. All the strips are southnorth oriented, so that people don’t get lost. Under the white strips, the basic colour of the ceiling is orange with light to dark tones indicating where a passenger is inside the building. It is light orange in the centre and deepens as it extends to the sides in T3B and is the other way round in T3A.

The roof of T3 has dozens of windows to let in daylight. Light angles can be adjusted to ensure adequate interior lighting. Many traditional Chinese elements will be employed in the terminal’s interior decoration, including a “Menhai,” a big copper vat used to store water for fighting fires in the Forbidden City, and the carvings imitating the famous Nine-Dragon Wall (Jiulongbi).

An indoor garden will be constructed in the T3B waiting area, in the style of imperial gardens such as the Summer Palace. In T3A, a tunnel landscape of an underground garden has been finished with plants on each side so that passengers can appreciate them inside the mini-train.

Facilities

The T3 food-service area is called a “global kitchen,” where 72 stores will provide food ranging from formal dishes to fast food, from Chinese to western, from bakery goods to ice cream. Airport officials have promised that people who buy products at the airport will see the same prices as in Central Beijing.

In addition to food and drink businesses, there will be a 12,600-sq.m domestic retail area, a 10,600-sq.m duty-free-store area and nearly 7,000-sq.m convenience service area, including banks, business centres, Internet services and more. At 45,200 sq.m, the commercial area will be twice the size of Beijing’s Lufthansa Shopping Centres.

Transportation between the three terminals To get from Terminal 3A to 3B, Both domestic and international travellers will have to get boarding passes at T3A, but international passengers have to board from T3B. The two-kilometre trip between the two buildings is too long for walking, so the airport will have a mini-train that shuttles between the two. Passengers can take it for free and get from T3A to T3B in three minutes.

To help passengers that go to the wrong terminal, the airport will provide bus transportation between T3 and the old terminals for free from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The buses set out every ten minutes from 8 a.m. to 8p.m., and every 20 minutes during other times. [6]

When completed, it will provide 66 more aerobridges or jetways--further complemented with remote parking bays which will bring the grand total of gates to 120 for the terminal alone. An additional runway is also projected to be constructed at that time. It will also have an extra capacity of 60 million people bringing the total to approximately 100 million passengers yearly. Upon completion, it is reported that passengers will be able to travel from the entrance of Terminal 3 to the farthest gate in less than 5 minutes. [7]


[edit] The future of BCIA
Air China, China Eastern and China Southern have recently cut capacity on the Beijing-Shanghai routes. This is because of overcrowding and to strengthen safety. The CAAC will also ban any start-up airlines until 2010 because of overcapacity and major constraints. However, the opening of the 3rd runway has strengthened the capacity of movements to approximately 500,000.

When Terminal 3 opens in March 2008, BCIA's terminal system will undergo major changes. As a main hub, Air China and Star Alliance members will all move to Terminal 3. China Eastern, China Southern and Skyteam members will move flights to Terminal 2. The smallest terminal, Terminal 1, will be used exclusively by Hainan Airlines. However, it is not exactly known where Oneworld and other international flights will move to. It may move to Terminal 2. Upon its opening, it will also become the largest airport in Asia in land size and one of the largest in capacity and land size in the world. Terminal 3 will become far larger than HKIA's and Suvarnabhumi's main passenger terminals, with a land area of approximately 986,000 square meters. It is also larger than London Heathrow Airports 5 terminals combined into one. The 60 million mark is expected to reach in 2008, due to high demand from the 2008 Olympics.

A new airport is also to be planned to start construction in 2010, located approximately 40km South of downtown Beijing. Other prefered sites is to the south of the city near the Yongding River, which forms a boundary between Beijing and Hebei Province. There are also other plans to expand BCIA with a 4th runway joined to the 3rd runway to further increase traffic movements.

WOW - :cool:

What are New Zealand's top busiest airports by passenger traffic?

Approximate passenger numbers 2006

Auckland 12 million
Christchurch 5,455,310
Wellington 5 million
Queenstown 700,000
Palmerston North 542,816
Dunedin 500,000

Approximate passenger numbers 2006

Auckland 12 million
Christchurch 5,455,310
Wellington 5 million
Queenstown 700,000
Palmerston North 542,816
Dunedin 500,000

Any idea on Hamilton or Rotorua? They would probably be above Palmy and Dunedin ay?

Any idea on Hamilton or Rotorua? They would probably be above Palmy and Dunedin ay?

Approximate passenger numbers 2006

Auckland 12 million
Christchurch 5,455,310
Wellington 5 million
Nelson 1.2 million
Queenstown 700,000
Palmerston North 542,816
Dunedin 500,000
Hamilton 435,000
Rotorua ???

Interesting that Nelson is so high. I guess people there are quite isolated by road, but very close by air to Wellington/ChCh especially.

Interesting that Nelson is so high. I guess people there are quite isolated by road, but very close by air to Wellington/ChCh especially.

Also maybe some flights stop over in Nelson instead of in Wellington on their way to the rest of the south island?

Auckland is doing very well. What is the number expected to be in the next 5-10 years? I know Brisbane is last year had abpit 17.5 million. With the new construction of a runway, those numbers are expected to increase dramatically.

Also maybe some flights stop over in Nelson instead of in Wellington on their way to the rest of the south island?

No. All Nelson flights are point to point. Just had a look at a typical weekday.

11x NSN-WLG 10x NSN AKL 8x NSN CHC 1x NSN PMR = 60 flights per day departing/arriving

Auckland is doing very well. What is the number expected to be in the next 5-10 years? I know Brisbane is last year had abpit 17.5 million. With the new construction of a runway, those numbers are expected to increase dramatically.

Auckland's projections are for 24million passengers in 2025. 15 million international and 9 million domestic.
A second parallel runway will also be constructed to the north although this will be considerably shorter thasn the existing runway at 2000m.

No. All Nelson flights are point to point. Just had a look at a typical weekday.

11x NSN-WLG 10x NSN AKL 8x NSN CHC 1x NSN PMR = 60 flights per day departing/arriving

Very Interesting. Must just be that it is isolated as Jarbury stated. I wonder if Nelson has ever thought of trying to compete with Wellington for stopover flights?

Air Nelson are increasing there fleet of Q300s to 23. Nelson would also be a good destination for Virgin's E-jets which may enter service in New Zealand. Haven't heard what Kiwijet are up to either.

Auckland's projections are for 24million passengers in 2025. 15 million international and 9 million domestic.
A second parallel runway will also be constructed to the north although this will be considerably shorter thasn the existing runway at 2000m.

Yes that 2nd runway will be solely for domestic and short haul as well as light aircraft, thus freeing up the main runway (3635m) for the big beasties. Construction started about 2 months ago but will be an incremental project. Stage 1 - 1200 metre runway, later stages to it's final 2150m. With 1950m separation between the two runways, allows simultaneous operations

Jets sound good but I think I'd rather pay less and fly in a turboprop.

From the Dom (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4307202a13.html):


Air NZ may fly jets in regions
By ROELAND VAN DEN BERGH - The Dominion Post | Monday, 03 December 2007

Jets could soon start flying into regional towns as part of a planned US$300 million (NZ$390 million) domestic fleet upgrade and opening of new routes by Air New Zealand.

Bruce Parton, Air New Zealand group general manager of short haul airlines, told BusinessDay that an order for about 15 aircraft would gradually replace the fleet of 11 ATR72-500 regional turboprops.

Among the three options being considered was the 104-seater Embraer E-190 jet which can land at almost any airport in the country.

The airline wanted to significantly increase regional services that offer substantial tourism growth, Mr Parton said.

Though they were faster and more comfortable, jets were more expensive and would come with higher fares than the two turboprop options being considered.

French manufacturer ATR is touting the 68-seat ATR72-600, which is the next generation of the current 500 model, as the most fuel efficient and the more environmentally friendly.

Canada's Bombardier has the 90-seat Q400X, a larger version of the Q300, which Air New Zealand introduced two years ago.

Mr Parton said most passengers preferred to fly on a jet rather than a noisier propeller aircraft. The question was whether passengers were prepared to pay a 10 per cent premium for a jet service, or if they preferred a similar fare reduction possible with the Q400X or ATR.

"This will come down to what the customer choice is," Mr Parton said.

House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said price-conscious leisure passengers, who made up the bulk of regional markets, would opt for lower fares.

The bigger planes, however, would be welcomed by business travellers who were finding it difficult to get a seat to smaller centres at short notice, Mr Thomas said.

A more expensive jet service could also leave Air New Zealand vulnerable to a competitor who could come in with a cheaper turboprop option, he said.

Mr Parton said Air New Zealand was keeping a close eye on customer reaction in regional Australia where Virgin Blue has introduced the smaller Embraer E-170 jet to compete against Qantas, which uses Q300s.

If, despite higher fares, there was a clear preference for the jet, that could swing the decision in favour of the E-190.

But the Q400X appears most likely to get the nod when a final decision is made around March.

It meets Air New Zealand's requirement for a fast, cheap-to-run, 90-seat-plus aircraft that will significantly increase capacity.

The airline also has purchase options on the earlier Q400 model which can be converted for the Q400X, negotiated at the time of buying the Q300s.

The E-190 would also be subject to the more time-consuming pre-boarding security checks required for jets, which went against a drive to reduce the time people spent at the airport.

Mr Parton said both the E-190 and the Q400X would allow new non-stop long-distance services, such as Auckland to Invercargill, which could not sustain a 136-seat Boeing 737 service.

Air New Zealand has had a monopoly on the 26-destination regional network since the demise of Origin Pacific last year.

Pacific Blue, which began flying on the main trunk route last month, has indicated it could add some provincial destinations in two years, using its E-170 or E-190s.

Awesome. $390 million, it will be interesting to see what sort of plans Virgin and possibly Jetstar and Tiger have.[/I]

Air NZ recognised again by Business Traveler Mag
SCOOP - Friday, 7 December 2007, 12:02 pm

Air New Zealand has been named “Best Airline to the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand” in 2007 by Business Traveler Magazine in the United States. Business Traveler Magazine has been a leader in recognising excellence in the industry for nearly two decades and last year also awarded Air New Zealand the same prestigious title - the first time the New Zealand carrier has won the award two years in a row. Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims says he is delighted with this year’s award, which recognises the focus and significant investment the airline has put into developing a world-class service and product. “This once again proves that the uniquely Kiwi experience we offer combined with a fantastic product sets us apart from our competitors,” he says.

“When we bring customers from the other side of the world to experience our own backyard we want the New Zealand experience to begin the minute they step onboard our aircraft – from our crew’s warm and welcoming attitude to a product that distinctively references New Zealand through wine and food, inflight entertainment and décor.” Mr Sims also says that Air New Zealand has put a significant amount of effort into developing quirky promotional campaigns to capture the attention of potential customers in the US. “Getting cut-through in a massive, cluttered market like the US is really challenging for a small, niche airline like Air New Zealand and endorsements such as this by US Business Traveler magazine go a long way to creating awareness of our airline.”

The Business Traveler award is the latest in a string of accolades for Air New Zealand’s international services. It was recently named Australasia's Leading Business Class Airline at the 14th Annual World Travel Awards.

Concierge in the Sky service a world-first
SCOOP - Tuesday, 11 December 2007, 11:29 am

Air New Zealand is looking to revolutionise its long-haul customers’ travel experience with the introduction of an in-flight International Airline Concierge service – a first in the aviation industry. Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims says the airline will employ up to 90 concierge staff, who will be dedicated to making every customer journey before, during and after an Air New Zealand service a special event. Mr Sims says he’s not aware of any other airline in the world offering such a service, which will provide Air New Zealand with a significant point of difference over its international competitors. “International Airline Concierges will be a combination of travel advisers, disrupt managers, loyalty experts and destinational experts, focused on supporting every customer travelling with us,” he says.

Their duties could include escorting passengers to and from the aircraft, recommending “must-do” Kiwi activities to tourists, assisting customers with onward bookings, supporting customers affected by a weather disruption, advising passengers on managing their Airpoints, or talking through the finer points of customers’ in-flight wine selections. The new service will be launched from April next year, with the first international services to have concierges on board expected to include those between Auckland and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Hong Kong. Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor today said the new service is very innovative. "I applaud this new move. Air New Zealand will lead the world in in-flight service and enhance the value of a New Zealand holiday experience for visitors and the tourism industry.” Simon Calder, travel editor of The Independent of London, also welcomed the announcement.

“What an innovative concept: my own in-flight travel guru. Like every visitor to New Zealand, the friendliness of the people shines through even more strongly than the loveliness of the landscape, so I relish the prospect of being able to meet an ambassador for the country at 40.000 feet – who can tip me off about the great secrets of New Zealand that I have yet to discover. “ Mr Sims says that as international recognition of Air New Zealand’s world-class long-haul product has grown over the past two years, so too has the number of customers choosing the airline for services to, from and within New Zealand. The significant growth in demand has in turn created its own challenges, he says. “A number of cabin crew have told us that it’s increasingly difficult for them to spend as much time as they’d like with each customer due to our full cabins,” he says. “This brand-new concierge role will ensure that every one travelling with Air New Zealand – no matter how full the aircraft - receives the personal attention they deserve and the advice they need.”

Mr Sims says the concierge initiative has grown from feedback from Air New Zealand cabin crew and customers over the past two years, and is a natural complement to the airline’s award-winning long-haul product and service. "We’re constantly looking at new ways to deliver our customers a uniquely Kiwi experience at every stage of their journey, and the best way to do that is through our people. Air New Zealanders are our competitive advantage.” Mr Sims says people working in the new role will very much be New Zealand ambassadors, as well as experts in the regions to which they fly. The International Airline Concierge position will be advertised from 13 December and Mr Sims says he expects to draw from a wide pool of talent in New Zealand – from talented Air New Zealanders to people working in services and hospitality industries or the tourism sector. The majority of the roles will be New Zealand based, although a small number of staff will operate out of the Shanghai and London crew bases.

New Flights Will Boost Growing China Arrivals
SCOOP - Friday, 14 December 2007, 3:15 pm

Air New Zealand’s just-announced direct flights to Beijing will give a welcome boost to New Zealand’s fastest-growing tourist market, Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton says. “China is developing rapidly and there are a growing number of wealthy Chinese individuals keen to travel more. These direct flights will help Tourism New Zealand tap into this key market,” he added. Direct flights also help Tourism New Zealand promote New Zealand as a single holiday destination, rather than being an add-on to Australia.

“The flights underpin Tourism New Zealand’s strategy to target the kind of Chinese travellers who will come for longer, visit more regions and do more,” Mr Hickton said. Tourism New Zealand is spending almost $4 million promoting New Zealand in China this year. China is New Zealand’s fastest-growing tourism market. In the year to October 119,602 Chinese visited New Zealand, up 16.7 per cent on the previous year. China is currently New Zealand’s fifth-largest market for tourists. Mr Hickton has predicted that China could be New Zealand's third biggest inbound tourism market within five years.

New China research commissioned by Tourism New Zealand shows a growing interest towards more independent travel. The survey showed New Zealand rated highly among Chinese travellers looking for holidays involving relaxation and nature.

Will the new Airbus 380s be flying into New Zealand? Is it likely Air New Zealand will purchase them in the future?

It's inlikely Air NZ will be ordering any A380s. Even the 747 flet is being fased out to be replaced with 777s.
The primary candidate for flying the A380 to NZ would have to be Emirates. For starters they are only developing 1 stand at Auckland for the A380

BREAKING NEWS: Auckland International Airport's (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4327111a13.html) board has recommended that shareholders reject the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's $3.66 a share offer for 40 per cent of the airport.

The CPPIB mailed its offer to airport shareholders on Friday.

Because almost a third - 32.5 per cent according a Goldman Sachs JBWere research note - of the airport's shareholders are small mum and dad investors, the board recommendation is expected to play an important part in whether the offer is successful.

Traditionally most small investors go along with the board recommendation in takeover situations.

I'm flying Singapore airlines to London in May next year and was hopeful to get on an A380 between Singapore and Heathrow. But I think it's just a 747. Might see a few parked up at the airport though - if I'm lucky!

The Press | Saturday, 22 December 2007

New Zealand's Christchurch engineers will benefit from a $45 million contract with Virgin Blue for maintenance of the airline's Australian-based Boeing 737 fleet.

Air NZ's engineering services team has won a five-year heavy maintenance contract on the Australian airline's domestic fleet of 50.

The team has done the heavy maintenance checks on Virgin Blue Airlines' Boeing 737-700 and 737-800NG aircraft at its Christchurch base since 2004.

The five-year deal renews a contract due to expire at the end of this year.

The boom in work follows a period of uncertainty for the airline's engineering staff. In October 2005, Air NZ announced a restructuring plan that caused the loss of about 300 engineering-related jobs through voluntary retirement and redundancies, although 617 were originally slated to go. The airline has since been hiring staff.

Air NZ spokesman Chris Nassenstein said yesterday the new contract complemented the maintenance of Air New Zealand's own 737 fleet in Christchurch, adding scale to that work."They know they're doing a good job, but still to have that confirmed in a five-year deal is pretty good for the guys," he said.

I'd really like to see Air New Zealand *start to represent us* with an all BLACK paint scheme.

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With Black Leather seats.
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With Black Uniform.
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Or this in Black if you really prefer!? :lol:
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Of course you would have a green Koru on the tail and Silver fern and Kiwi on the nose.:)

That's what I like to see, more patriotism for all thing Kiwi.:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

^^ I do believe the black paint job was actually considered by AirNZ management but ultimately rejected because of technical concerns. Black paint is known to absorb heat quicker than light-coloured paint, and steel (compared with other materials) expands quickly under heat. :ohno: From what I can tell, the planes as seen above (except for the NZEdge proposal) look like short-haulers and would be unlikely to cross the Equator or fly at high altitudes (whereas most AirNZ long-haul flights do), so it would be less of an issue in those cases.

The uniforms are certainly worth a look though, in more ways than one. :cheers:

^^ Yeah just a query on the high altitude 'thingy'.....isn't it like -40 degrees up there.The last time I was up at 35,000ft the temp read -50 (talk about freezing the balls off a brass monkey):lol:

Also there have been huge advances in heat dissipating paint as used with the U.S Airforce Stealth fleet.Also in black.

Bring on the BLACK:)

Australia and US to look at opening Pacific skies
NZ Herald
4.1.08

CANBERRA - Australia and the United States will start talks on an open-skies aviation deal within the next six weeks to open up the lucrative transpacific route between the two countries.

Australian Transport Minister Anthony Albanese gave approval for formal talks to start in Washington next month in a move which could lead to more US carriers flying to Australia via ports in Asia.

A spokesman for Mr Albanese said the meetings would be held between February 12 and 14.

A deal could clear the way for Australian airline Virgin Blue Holdings to begin flights to the United States on its carrier V Australia by the end of this year, edging open one of the world's most lucrative and protected long-haul routes.

Under the current aviation treaty between Australia and the United States, airlines based in either country can only launch four weekly flights on the route in the first year.

V Australia, which is 62 per cent owned by Toll Holdings, has asked for 10 weekly flights, having already placed an order for six long-range Boeing 777-300ERs with options to buy another six of the jets.

Australia's former conservative government rejected repeated requests from Singapore Airlines for permission to fly from Australia to the United States, protecting flag carrier Qantas from more competition on the route.

The new centre-left Labor Government, elected in November, has not yet said if it supports the entry of Singapore Airlines on the route.

Singapore wants access to new markets to help offset competition from low-cost carriers in Asia.

United Airlines is currently the only competitor to Qantas in non-stop flights to the US. It runs 14 flights a week to Australia. Qantas has 48 flights a week and reportedly generates as much as 20 per cent of its profits from the route.

A 2006 report for Singapore Airlines said Qantas charged 38 per cent more for flights from Sydney to Los Angeles than on the more competitive "kangaroo route" from Sydney to London.

Singapore Airlines estimates that opening the Pacific route to more competition could increase the number of travellers between the United States and Australia by up to 8 per cent.

Peter Harbison, chairman of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, said opening up the transpacific route between Australia and the United States probably wouldn't have any great impact on New Zealand.

"New Zealand has its own agreement with Australia and the United States and they are about as open as you could possibly be."


He said opening up the route could result in a few more non-stop routes from Australia to the United States, possibly giving New Zealanders a few more options.

Air NZ to expand jet fleet into regional NZ
SCOOP - Friday, 11 January 2008, 11:24 am

Air New Zealand said today that Invercargill, Hamilton, Dunedin and Palmerston North are being considered for Boeing 737 domestic jet services, to provide regional customers with more daily capacity. Group General Manager Short Haul Airlines Bruce Parton says discussions about the potential new services are commencing with airports and local authorities. Mr Parton says Air New Zealand last year signalled its ongoing commitment to more services for regional New Zealand and is currently securing two additional 737 series aircraft to enable it to offer prime-time jet services to at least two of the provincial centres.

He says the final decision on which of the cities will be offered the six-month jet trials will be based on customer demand and the level of support that can be gained from the regions. “A number of provincial centres want prime-time domestic 737 flights to target greater numbers of business travellers into their region,” he says. “Jet services will be trialled for six months, giving us a reasonable amount of time to gauge our customers’ appetite for them, and assess their ongoing sustainability. It is critical that all parties work together to make the trial a success including the local communities seeking to attract an influx of business customers.”

Under the trial, jet aircraft will operate at least five days a week, with jet and turboprop capacity carefully balanced to ensure frequency of service isn’t sacrificed, Mr Parton says. “With this jet capacity coming into the regional market we may look to make adjustments to the turboprop fleet.” The introduction of jets into provincial New Zealand will help stimulate regional tourism, and provide a boon for business travellers, he says, as well as benefiting the broader travelling public. The new initiative will bring Air New Zealand’s 737 fleet up to 18 dedicated domestic 737 aircraft, compared with the 14 aircraft being operated only a few months ago.

“The addition of two extra aircraft to our jet fleet will also provide Air New Zealand with greater flexibility to respond to, and recover from any disruption on main trunk sectors,” Mr Parton says. “Our business customers in particular highly value on-time performance and have noted our improvements in this area over the past 12 months. We aim to ensure we continue to offer the best on-time performance.” Air New Zealand will make its decision within the next two months, with the new services expected to commence by the middle of the year.

^^ Lots of announcements all over Kiwiland today with roading and stuff. Everyone must be back from their holidays. I think this is good, Im a plane freak from way back. Should keep people like Tim Shadbolt a little happier.

More 737s, I thought they were moving away from these. Anyone know what is happening with Kiwijet?

737s do the domestic stuff. Air NZ brought in the A340s for trans tasman and some PI routes. I know sometimes you get them when you fly between the main domestic cities. Maybe Virgin have stolen Kiwijets thunder? Werent they the guys going to take up where Origin Pacific left off?

^^
Air NZ doesn't have any A340s

Whoops, A320's i meant. Would love to see A340's on domestic trunk lines!!!!

My bad. :nuts:

Air NZ to launch Whakatane-Wellington service
SCOOP - Wednesday, 16 January 2008, 3:18 pm

Air New Zealand is to launch a direct service six days a week between Whakatane and Wellington. The new service will be operated by Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Air, which will trial the route for six months from 19 May 2008 using a 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft. General Manager Grant Kerr said today the service was in response to strong and enthusiastic demand from Whakatane travellers, who currently travel to and from Wellington via Auckland, Rotorua or Tauranga. “We’re delighted to be able to introduce this new direct service, which will reduce our Whakatane customers’ travel time by at least an hour,” he says.

Mr Kerr says the Whakatane-Wellington service is a logical addition to Eagle Air’s network. Air New Zealand last operated the route in 1999, but it was not sustainable at that time. “Given the rapid growth in the Eastern Bay of Plenty we were keen to revisit the viability of a direct service into and out of Whakatane, given its status as the major service centre for the region. “We were also cognisant of the fact that Whakatane is currently the only North Island port to the South of Auckland without a direct air service to Wellington, and that was an obvious gap in our regional network.

“We’re really pleased to be able to provide a convenient new service to both business and leisure travellers in Whakatane, and hope the local community will get behind it and provide us with the incentive to continue it permanently.” The Mayor of Whakatane Colin Holmes has welcomed Air New Zealand’s decision. Mr Holmes says despite this being a six month trial, the Eastern Bay of Plenty is the growth area of the future and this service will become permanent as a matter of course. “I challenge the business community, especially the tourism industry to make full use of this service and not only guarantee that this service becomes a permanent feature but also create greater demand for increased services to the capital.”

Mr Holmes says the trial is the result of discussions between Air New Zealand and the Council and the Eastern Bay is looking forward to a productive long term partnership with Air New Zealand. Mr Kerr says Eagle Air is committed to delivering a high level of service to those in smaller centres in New Zealand, and the new service will well complement its existing network. The new direct service will operate return trips six days a week, with the schedule timed particularly to meet the needs of business travellers and those wishing to connect on to and from the South Island.

Tickets are available now at www.airnewzealand.co.nz, with one-way smart saver fares starting from $99.

Whakatane-Wellington schedule details:

Sector Departs/Arrives Day

WHK-WLG 0725/0840 Mon-Fri
WLG-WHK 1845/1955 Mon-Fri, plus Sun
WHK-WLG 2010/2125 Fri only

Rise in domestic passenger numbers
NZ HERALD - 6:30AM Friday January 18, 2008

Domestic passenger volumes grew 16.5 per cent at Wellington Airport last month, majority owner Infratil said this week. The increase was largely due to the introduction of domestic services by Pacific Blue in mid-November, it said.

Year to date, domestic passengers were up 3.9 per cent above the previous year. International passenger number growth in December was up 2.6 per cent on the previous year, following a 1.5 per cent cut in seat capacity. Year to date growth was 4.6 per cent, with seats having fallen by 4.3 per cent.

Air NZ Recognized as the Best in Passenger Service
SCOOP - Tuesday, 29 January 2008, 4:49 pm

Air New Zealand has been judged as having the world’s best passenger service in the prestigious Air Transport World magazine awards. Air Transport World magazine is one of the leading aviation publications globally and has been running its annual awards for more than 30 years. The awards are coveted by airlines with the Passenger Service Award one of the most valued, recognising an airline that has been “innovative and consistently superior in providing outstanding quality passenger service at a fair price”. In announcing the award, Air Transport World Editorial Director and Associate Publisher Perry Flint cited Air New Zealand staff and ongoing product development as critical elements to its success.

"Air New Zealand’s customer service staff are known for their warmth and cheeriness and they are empowered to go the extra mile for their passengers. “Add to this the airline's new suite of offerings in business class, premium economy and economy and you have a combination that is winning business everywhere Air New Zealand flies." Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says the award is justified recognition for the hard work Air New Zealand staff have put in the over the last few years. “In 2005 the ATW recognized us with the Phoenix Award for our turn-around success. At the time we said we intended to offer the most complete, innovative and uniquely Kiwi experience possible in an effort to exceed customer expectations on every flight.

“To now be judged as having the finest service in the world reflects extremely well on the continual efforts made by the business to be the best. That intention has become a reality and our 10,975 staff should be extremely proud of that fact. “This award comes in addition to a number of satisfying results recently including topping the Star Alliance for having the best Business Class offering amongst the alliance carriers.” In announcing the Passenger Service Award, Air Transport World congratulated Air New Zealand on the success of its ongoing product development programme. "Air New Zealand's new international long haul premium products have resulted in a dramatic swing in load factor in the premium classes from 66% in 2006 to more than 80% in October 2007. "Air New Zealand is implementing a revolution in its short-haul product and is working to remove up to 40% of the normal “travel” time by introducing technologies such as reusable bag tags and boarding passes sent electronically to passengers' mobile phones.

"Air New Zealand has become the carrier of first choice almost everywhere it operates. Its focus on relationships with staff and pursuit of the best value-for-money inflight product mark it as a standout in passenger service." Mr Fyfe says the award comes just as the airline is on the verge of launching a range of initiatives both domestically and internationally that will further enhance customer service levels. “The introduction of the inflight concierge on our long-haul international services, significant changes to our domestic offering and the introduction of personal digital inflight entertainment systems on our A320 and 767 fleets will all add significantly to the customer experience in the coming year.” From April, up to 90 concierge staff will fly on Air New Zealand’s long haul services and act as a combination of travel advisers, disrupt managers and destinational experts to help make passengers’ experience even more memorable.

Domestically, the airline is introducing greater seat pitch in the front half of its 737 aircraft for its frequent flyers, improving inflight service, introducing a range of technologies to speed up the check-in and boarding process and investing in its frequent flyer offerings such as lounges and valet. Its fleet of A320 aircraft will also have a similar zone of increased seat pitch and together with the 767 fleet will have individual seat-back digital entertainment fitted later this year.

Singapore Airlines named ATW Airline of the Year, headlines 2008 award winners

Tuesday January 29, 2008


Singapore Airlines yesterday was named Air Transport World's Airline of the Year for 2008, recognized for its superb safety record, exemplary commitment to operational excellence and customer service, and strong financial performance.

ATW editors applauded SIA's history-making commercial introduction of the A380 and its decision to donate all ticket revenues from its innovative online auction of seats on the first A380 flight to charity. Editors also cited SIA's Singapore Airlines Suites, which have raised the bar for ultra-premium airline service, as well as its $360 million investment in upgrading all cabin classes of its long-haul international aircraft.

Indianapolis-based Republic Airways was named Regional Airline of the Year. The carrier has posted 29 consecutive quarters of profitable operations while its unblemished safety record underlines its commitment to operational excellence. It increased revenue tenfold between 2000 and 2007 while its regional jet fleet grew from 18 aircraft to more than 200 over the period.

Air New Zealand received the Passenger Service Award in recognition of both its physical product and the service delivered by ANZ staff. Since introducing its new long-haul product, it has seen a dramatic increase in demand for its premium service.

Malaysia Airlines was presented with the Phoenix Award, which recognizes carriers that have gone through a life-changing transformation. MAS came within months of shutting down in 2006 due to financial losses but turned itself around through a restructuring program that contributed to record earnings for the first nine months of 2007.

Star Alliance, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007, received the Market Leadership Award. This is the first time ATW has recognized a global airline alliance. Star continues to attract major carriers to its roster and has set the standard in branding, product development and constructing a seamless travel experience for passengers.

Airservices Australia, the country's air navigation services provider, received the Aviation Technology Achievement Award recognizing its leadership in a number of crucial areas affecting air traffic management, safety and the environment. These include its participation in the first commercial aircraft landing with passengers onboard using the GNSS Global Landing System.

The Joseph S. Murphy Industry Service Award, named for ATW's late founder, was given to Flight Safety Foundation for its six-decade effort to improve the safety of commercial flight.

The awards will be presented in Singapore on Feb. 18 at Air Transport World's gala awards dinner.

by ATW Online Staff

NZ to Europe non-stop in five hours (+photos)
5:00AM Thursday February 07, 2008
By David Eames


The LAPCAT A2

http://media.apn.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/a22.jpg
The next generation of Kiwi travellers could be breakfasting in Auckland and lunching in London, if a planned hypersonic passenger jet gets the green light.

British firm Reaction Engines' proposed A2 jet could whisk passengers around the globe at a dizzying 6100km/h, about five times the speed of sound.

The A2 project - ponderously titled Long-Term Advanced Propulsion Concepts and Technologies (LAPCAT) - was funded by the European Space Agency, which challenged scientists to produce a commercial jet using space-travel technology.

The jet could cut the flight time from Auckland to Europe to as little as five hours, potentially opening up the Continent to Antipodean day-trippers.

A Boeing 747-400 takes the better part of 24 hours to fly from Auckland to London, at a top speed of 1000km/h.

A New Zealand-Europe round trip on the 300-passenger A2 would probably cost about the same as a business-class ticket, about $8800, Britain's Guardian reports.

Aside from being fast, the new jet would also be clean and green, burning a liquid-hydrogen fuel that gives off water vapour and nitrous oxide (laughing gas), instead of polluting carbon emissions. At 142 metres in length, the A2 would be about twice the length of the Airbus A380, the largest airliner in service today.

The term hypersonic flight relates to speeds above Mach 5, a velocity at which friction can cause an aircraft's wings to heat to 1000C.

Unfortunately, attaining such external temperatures would mean doing without windows, but designers may put flat-screen televisions where the windows would be, giving the impression of seeing outside.

Despite being capable of travelling at twice the speed of its predecessor, Concorde, the A2 would be quieter, Reaction says. Senior engineer and managing director Alan Bond said the A2 could be here within 25 years.

^^ Shit that will be awesome .. bring it on !

Wonder if this will become the standard next generation of planes, 25-30 years down the track? Would do wonders for the NZ tourist industry as we'd no longer seem "at the end of the world".

Wonder if this will become the standard next generation of planes, 25-30 years down the track? Would do wonders for the NZ tourist industry as we'd no longer seem "at the end of the world".

I hope that it happens sooner and yes, it will be great news for NZ ... the long-haul flights are really hideous.

^^ I've got a return flight to London coming up in a few months so I'll certainly be able to "enjoy" that experience. 12 hours to San Francisco was enough for me!

^^ I've got a return flight to London coming up in a few months so I'll certainly be able to "enjoy" that experience. 12 hours to San Francisco was enough for me!

Bon Voyage mate :cheers: :lol: .... we are going to Melbourne and Sydney on the 17th of May ... I would have preferred to go and show Craigy London *jealous* ;)

^^ I've got a return flight to London coming up in a few months so I'll certainly be able to "enjoy" that experience. 12 hours to San Francisco was enough for me!


Make sure you have your seat numbers confirmed, sitting where you want can make all the difference- dont leave it til check in to request your seat.

^^ How do you do that? I really want a window seat.

Bon Voyage mate :cheers: :lol: .... we are going to Melbourne and Sydney on the 17th of May ... I would have preferred to go and show Craigy London *jealous* ;)

That's the same day I leave for London! Though our plane flies out at 5 minutes past midnight I think, so it's hardly very far into that day!

Call the airline directly if you booked it through them. If you used a travel agent call them and then check with the airline a couple of days later. A lot of it depends on the airline too.

Remember if you are on a 747 the last couple of rows have 2 seats either side. If its not a heavy load they might lock off the seat next to you. Trade off though is some people dont like being too close to the dunnies. Exit rows are great but the window seat there has that jutting out door bit making it not so comfy for a real long flight. Also are you going via the States or Asia?

That's the same day I leave for London! Though our plane flies out at 5 minutes past midnight I think, so it's hardly very far into that day!

Oh shit ... we leave at 7 in the morning, a shame really, we could have met for a drink :cheers:

7 am drink? Hey thats my kinda party!

Call the airline directly if you booked it through them. If you used a travel agent call them and then check with the airline a couple of days later. A lot of it depends on the airline too.

Remember if you are on a 747 the last couple of rows have 2 seats either side. If its not a heavy load they might lock off the seat next to you. Trade off though is some people dont like being too close to the dunnies. Exit rows are great but the window seat there has that jutting out door bit making it not so comfy for a real long flight. Also are you going via the States or Asia?
Thanks for the info. Singapore Airlines flying via Singapore (one stop only!) Going with my girlfriend so I guess we'll share the window seat if we get one. 777 from Auckland to Singapore and then 747 from Singapore to London I think.

Wow leaving at 7am must suck. 4am check-in, up at 3am.....

I find it really hard to sleep on planes so I'm going to be wasted by the time I get to Singapore, let alone London. Ugh.

7 am drink? Hey thats my kinda party!

:lol: Mine too ... cheers :cheers:

Supersonic jets were bound to make a comeback. The Concorde was always way ahead of its time. The new jet being talked about will carry around 300 people. In another 4 years if all goes to plan the Aeron business jet will be in operation, this is a small business jet. Supersonic jet travel may come about sooner than we expect. Realistically within 25 years is when we will see 5 hour flights to London. Who knows it maybe much sooner.:)

^^ I've got a return flight to London coming up in a few months so I'll certainly be able to "enjoy" that experience. 12 hours to San Francisco was enough for me!

You poor bugger. It is the worst trip in the world - sorry.

I've done it so many times now, I've lost count. But when ever we do come to NZ, I normaly feel sick booking the tickets because of the 24hrs of purgetory that you have to go through.:ohno:

Don't get me started...:nuts:

Robby and I are off to New York and Chicago for a week soon. Only 7 hrs to NYC - not to bad. Love going to the States..............:banana::)

Bon Voyage mate :cheers: :lol: .... we are going to Melbourne and Sydney on the 17th of May ... I would have preferred to go and show Craigy London *jealous* ;)

First time in Oz???? I think you'll love SYD & MEL the two true big smokes for our part of the world.

I'm coming down in May for my work.
I'll stick a few days on for a family visit down south before heading up to a congres in Rotorua. On the way back I'm thinking of making a stop in Melbourne to visit and have a look around for the first time in 17 years - might finally catch up with Marky!?
Anyway, I've done the return trip between NZ and Europe v.v. 10 or 11 times now. I don't enjoy it very much but am used to it. Luckily for me I have been able to do 4 of those return trips in business class.

In light of todays events, I bet we will see much stricter security at our provincial airports. Thankfully no one badly hurt but full credit to the crew on board whose actions seem to have averted a disaster. We might even make the international news.

We'll hear more as the day progresses.

The lady sounded like a bit of a whack-job...

I mean seriously... what the fuck?

And just in case you didnt know the score the following is taken from the Press website knowing nothing really about the situation all I can say is my heart goes out to that woman. Must have some real mental health issues.

Police said a mayday call was received at 7.40am from an Air New Zealand flight, NZ2279, operated by Eagle Air traveling from Blenheim to Christchurch.

The pilots on board reported that a female passenger had attacked them in the cockpit inflicting minor injuries. The injured pilots managed to lock the woman out of the cockpit, and landed the aircraft safely at 8.06am.

The woman, a identified as a 33-year-old Blenheim residentoriginally from Somalia, claimed to have two bombs on board.

All passengers safely disembarked upon landing.

Superintendent Dave Cliff said the woman was in custody within five minutes. A knife was found on her and another on the tarmac.

The six other passengers on board where taken to an airport conference room where they were being questioned by police.

Mr Cliff said one pilot received several cuts to his hand and another an injury to his foot. The injuries were not believed to be life threatening and the pilots are being treated in hospital.

The woman was also treated for minor injuries to her hand at the scene. Cliff said the plane was being thoroughly searched after the woman claimed to have two bombs on board.

None had so far been found, but the plane would soon be taken off the runway to a hangar where a thorough scene investigation could be carried out, he said.

The injured pilots were able to walk off the plane, but were taken to hospital.

Marlborough area police commander Inspector Steve Caldwell said the woman taken into custody was from Marlborough and Blenheim police were helping Christchurch police in making background enquiries about her.

Yup sounds like a bit of a major nutcase. Sounds like there was some good thinking on behalf of the flight crew, otherwise it could have got really nasty. On a plane that small I imagine it would have just been the pilot and co-pilot.

Goodness gracious me .... NZ has more than its fair share of weirdo's :lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Mad_scientist.svg/641px-Mad_scientist.svg.png

Inevitably, prices for flights will go up due to all the expense in providing security in domestic now!! Gahh!!

The solution: issue flight crews a whiskey bottle. ;) Seriously, a bottle of duty free has worked before.

Be interesting to see what happens on the provincial airport security front. Hopefully a well thought out a measured response rather than an over the top knee jerk reaction.

In light of todays events, I bet we will see much stricter security at our provincial airports. Thankfully no one badly hurt but full credit to the crew on board whose actions seem to have averted a disaster. We might even make the international news.


Yeap. From the French Herald Tribune...

Woman passenger attacks pilots on New Zealand domestic flight

February 8, 2008

New Zealand: A Somali immigrant tried to hijack a New Zealand domestic flight Friday, stabbing both pilots, threatening to blow up the twin-propeller plane and demanding that it fly to Australia before she was subdued, police said.

The wounded pilots were able to land the plane safety in Christchurch, a popular tourist city, where police and emergency crews rushed onto the tarmac to arrest the suspect, evacuate the six other passengers and search the plane for bombs.

The airport was closed for about three hours. No bombs were found aboard the plane.

The pilot suffered a severely cut hand in the attack, and the co-pilot was injured on the foot, Christchurch police Commander Dave Cliff said. One passenger suffered a minor hand injury caused by the attacker, Cliff said. He did not explain how the woman was subdued.

Air New Zealand, the national carrier which operated the flight through a charter company, said it was reviewing security measures nationally following the incident. In New Zealand, passengers and their luggage on short-haul flights are not subject to security checks.

Cliff said the 33-year-old woman attacked the pilots about 10 minutes into the flight from the regional city of Blenheim, 70 kilometers (40 miles) south of the capital, Wellington, to Christchurch, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) south of the capital.

After the woman was subdued on board, the pilots made emergency radio calls reporting that she said there were two bombs on the plane, Cliff said.

Army and police bomb squads later searched the plane and the luggage, but found no explosives.

The woman demanded to be flown to Australia, a destination beyond the Jetstream aircraft's range, Cliff said.

The woman, who was not identified by name, was a Blenheim resident originally from Somalia, he said. She was charged with attempted hijacking, wounding and other offenses and was to appear in court in Christchurch on Saturday, police said.

The passengers included four New Zealanders, an Australian and an Indian national.

"Today's incident, although a one-off, has naturally given us cause to conduct a thorough review of our safety and security systems and processes on regional domestic flights," said Air New Zealand's general manager of short-haul airlines, Bruce Parton.

Last year, New Zealand adopted legislation allowing armed air marshals on international flights, but only if other nations required such measures. There are no marshals on domestic flights.

^^ Typical :ohno: .. I should have guessed ! :bash:

I had no idea that such short haul flights were so lax on security..

They will probably put her in the nuthouse for 5 years and then deport her. If that was in the U.S. she would get 50 years and her head wouldn't see the light of day.

What is interesting about the whole security debacle is that a passenger checking in at Blenheim for the turbo prop service to Christchurch does not get screened. Then, on arrival in Christchurch, they get off the plane and enter the secure AIRSIDE departure lounge, where they can then either board a JET aircraft bound for Auckland, or pass on any weapons to other persons - WITHOUT going through additional security.

Now hang on a minute... We aren't allowed to carry even a water bottle through a security checkpoint in Chch, yet, anyone with any slight level of intelligence who was planning something malicious can bypass the security and carry whatever they like on board as long as they check in at a regional airport.

Something clearly isn't right here? Or have I missed something? Please someone, tell me that it seriously isn't that easy to circumvent the security checkpoint?

Obviously this trick wouldn't work for international flights since you'd have to go through passport control etc at the international terminals and would get picked up there - But Sept 11 attacks weren't international flights either.

OK, maybe the Somali woman was a bit of an amateur and somewhat ill prepared for the hijack attempt and obviously didn't really think about the plane's flying range when she planned it. But what if she was a real terrorist threat with links to Al Quaeda etc, they would certainly have been more prepared and better equipped. Could it really happen that easily here?

I think you are exactly right. Same applies in regional airports in Australia as well. Easy to circumvent security if you are on a mission from god.

Ozjet proposes Palmerston North service
NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10492165) - 9:30AM Wednesday February 13, 2008

Australian airline Ozjet has proposed initially operating four days a week from Brisbane and Sydney to Palmerston North.

It has applied to move into the trans-Tasman vacuum created by the departure of Air New Zealand subsidiary Freedom Air from the end of March, The Australian newspaper reported today.

Ozjet wanted unlimited capacity to operate a two-class Boeing 737-300 service on the route for three years.

The airline said more than a quarter of the New Zealand population lived within 200km of Palmerston North.

"The wider community of the region centred on Palmerston North has experienced the convenience of services for 12 years and places considerable value on the availability of international links," it said.

"The Australian community has progressively increased its use of the services as a convenient and easy link into central New Zealand and for the first six months of 2007 the number of Australian passengers on the Sydney-Palmerston North sector exceeded the number of New Zealand passengers."

- NZPA

Cessna vs Helicopter This kind of thing really upsets me, especially when it involves young pilots from Aero Clubs. Such a waste of a promising life.

Mid-air collision above Paraparaumu claims third life
6:35PM Sunday February 17, 2008
A young male pilot crashed his Cessna after a mid-air collision with a chopper. He later died in Wellington Hospital. The mid-air collision between a light plane and helicopter over Paraparaumu, north of Wellington today has claimed a third life.

The collision, at about 11.15am, resulted in two crash scenes - the helicopter falling through the roof of a timber yard at Placemakers, while the light plane hit the roof of a house about 200m away when it crash landed in Dennis Taylor Court, a cul-de-sac.

Two men in the Helipro helicopter died in the collision. The young pilot of the plane, a Kapiti Aero Club Cessna 152, was flown to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition but has since died. Police said the pilot died this afternoon in Wellington Hospital from multiple injuries. The pilot initially survived the crash, with police at the scene telling NZ Herald photographer Mark Mitchell he had to be "dragged from his aircraft".

One eye witness told NZPA the pilot, the sole occupant, was taken to hospital by ambulance. Eyewitness Anne Russell said she was watching the aircraft and thought they were getting too close to each other. Then the left wing of the plane heading west toward the airport clipped the tail of the helicopter that was heading south - broke the wing off the plane which spun to the ground. The chopper seemed to carry on in a straight line for a brief moment, then plummeted straight down to the ground at high speed.

"The scream of the chopper falling will haunt me for a while."

An 18-year-old Surf lifesaver from the Australian Gold Coast who was on holiday in Paraparaumu found himself helping to free the pilot from the plane wreckage. Ben McGee said he leapt two fences to reach the plane in the cul-de-sac after seeing it collide with a helicopter and spiral to the ground. He told Radio New Zealand the engine separated from the plane in mid-air but the body and tail of the plane landed upside down in the cul-de-sac.

- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA

$24 million airport project for Rotorua
New 3:30PM Tuesday February 19, 2008

Work on extending the runway at Rotorua Airport is proposed to start in October but questions remain over how it will be funded.

Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters has said he doesn't want ratepayers paying but some Rotorua District councillors fear that could be unavoidable.

The Rotorua District Council was given the green light by the Environment Court to go ahead with the expansion, which would open up Rotorua to international flights.

Councillors were told yesterday that the construction project, which is expected to be completed by July next year, will cost $24 million.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)

Wow. I really like how a lot of these regional centres are taking on an international role. This bodes really well for the industry! :D

Push through that runway extension. That is probably our busiest regional airport outside of Queenstown maybe? Lets get this one done- more important than pandering to 'special interest groups'. Hooray.

It wasn't so long ago that Rotorua was the centre of tourism in New Zealand. Queenstown now holds that title. This could be a sign of more development in this region.

Queenstown has been the centre of tourism in NZ since the 1980s. Just took the North Islanders longer to realise. As long as I've been living overseas (18 years now) Queenstown has been THE iconic destination of NZ (hardly a mention of Rotorua).
Queenstown will continue to be the premier destination for the foreseable future I think.
Lets face it, Rotorua vs Queenstown. It's no contest.

We had better see Queenstown before we leave NZ ..... and the rest of South Island ;)

Air New Zealand increases Vancouver services
SCOOP - Friday, 22 February 2008, 5:07 pm

Air New Zealand is to increase its direct services between Auckland and Vancouver to four a week from early December to meet strong customer demand. The airline launched the new non-stop service in November with three trips per week, on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The fourth service will operate on Thursdays for the peak travel season between 4 December and 26 March 2009.

Air New Zealand Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims said today that Vancouver was proving to be one of the airline’s most successful route launches in recent years. “We had always forecast strong uptake for the new service, but it’s fair to say that we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the strength of the demand shown by customers in both markets,” he says. “We’re looking to build our services to daily as soon as possible, and will continue to work closely with the New Zealand and Canadian travel trade to further stimulate demand.”

Mr Sims said there were a number of factors that had contributed to the success of the new destination. “Canada’s reputation as one of the world’s leading destinations for skiing and snowboarding – along with some fantastic outdoor adventure activities – has clearly whetted the appetite of many Kiwis.
“We’ve also seen a great deal of interest from customers using Vancouver as a convenient gateway to destinations within Canada such as Toronto and Montreal, which can be accessed through our Star Alliance partner Air Canada.”

Mr Sims said that Air New Zealand’s new service had received great support from the Canadian travel trade and Tourism British Columbia. "There already is a buzz in British Columbia and Canada about the great new tourism opportunities that Air New Zealand has created," commented Rod Harris, president and CEO of Tourism British Columbia. "The additional service is an incredible commitment to our destination, and we will do our part, which is helping provide a great visitor experience." Mr Sims said Air New Zealand’s investment in substantial promotional campaigns in both New Zealand and Canada had also helped stimulate interest in the new route.

This commitment was today recognised by Tourism British Columbia, which presented Air New Zealand with the Tourism Media Award at the annual Tourism British Columbia Tourism Awards This award recognizes a journalist or media outlet whose exceptional coverage of British Columbia helped entice more people to visit the province. Judges said they were very impressed with Air New Zealand’s efforts to build media interest in the new route and destination. Mr Sims said Air New Zealand was thrilled and honoured to receive the prestigious award for its efforts in promoting British Columbia.

I've been hearing rumours that Virgin Blue is looking at taking over Ozjet's AOC. Does anyone know what that means for Ozjet ??

Im still surprised that OzJet are flying. I give them 6 months. I think when it comes to low cost carriers the likes of JetStar, Air Asia, Tiger Air and Virgin Group have the financial muscle to fight amongst themselves to push for new routes.

Ozjet have been picking up scraps here and there the last year.
They do the Sydney-Norfolk Island run in Norfolk Air colours, the Brisbane - Port Moresby run in Airlines PNG colours, Perth - Bali for Ino Jet and now they are doing the Perth - Derby as OzJet.
They have 4 aircraft operating.
I agree that they would be easily displaced by an established LCC