<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Fifteen years after buying into Air New Zealand, Singapore's BIL International - formerly Brierley Investments - is exiting with the sale of a 7.8 per cent stake likely to be worth more than $100 million.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Air New Zealand's total December passenger load factor decreased to 77 per cent, down 2.4 percentage points on the same month a year ago.
The airline said last month's traffic, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres, fell 1.1 per cent to 2.48 billion, while capacity as measured in available seat kilometres was up 2.1 per cent to 3.22 billion.
The capacity increase was driven by growth in the domestic and transtasman markets, with the introduction of the first Airbus A320s.
For the six months to December the passenger load factor fell 2.6 percentage points to 73.6 per cent.
</font>
Kiwi Flyer
Jan 28, 04, 12:33 pm
Air NZ Share trading halt
NZ herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3546136&thesection=business&thesubsection=latest)
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Air New Zealand today called for a trading halt on its shares because BIL International (formerly Brierley Investments) wants to sell its 7.8 per cent stake.
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Kiwi Flyer
Jan 28, 04, 12:35 pm
Okay, this one's about AKL rather than NZ
AKL record passenger numbers
NZ herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3546173&thesection=business&thesubsection=latest)
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Auckland International Airport has processed a record number of international passengers over summer.
Chief executive Don Huse said in the week ended January 11, the airport processed 140,950 passengers, not including transit passengers.
That figure trumped all but one weekly record since the start of November. The previous weekly high was 125,188 passengers in January last year.
</font>
Mwenenzi
Jan 28, 04, 4:13 pm
A little on Air NZ business tactics. Air NZ are paranoid about coemption from Virgin – Pacific Blue
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Virgin flight for Pacific Blue today
29 January 2004 By DAVID KING
New Zealand's newest airline takes off from Christchurch International Airport today amid a fresh war of words over competition tactics.
Pacific Blue, the Kiwi arm of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin business empire, sets off in the face of stiff competition from Air New Zealand, Air NZ subsidiary Freedom and Qantas with its first flight to Brisbane at 11am today.
But before his Boeing was even revved up the new airline's chief executive, Tony Marks, had accused Pacific Blue's rivals of altering their schedules to "blunt" its impact.
"If you believe that is a coincidence then there are probably a couple of fairies sitting on the end of your desk," Marks said.
But Air New Zealand general manager of New Zealand and Pacific Island sales, Roger Poulton, said the airline had increased its capacity across the Tasman because of a rise in demand.
"All in all the company is increasing capacity on a lot of routes. We are responding to what's in the market and the demand we are receiving."
Qantas could not be reached for comment.
Pacific Blue's inaugural flight will carry 180 passengers including VIPs and passengers who had paid as little as $99 for their fares. </font>
Air New Zealand says it has obtained a court injunction against Airwork Holdings for the return of a confidential flight operations manual.
mad_atta
Jan 28, 04, 8:03 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mwenenzi:
"If you believe that is a coincidence then there are probably a couple of fairies sitting on the end of your desk," Marks said.</font>[/QUOTE]
Hey, it's the aviation industry - we're everywhere! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Kiwi Flyer
Jan 29, 04, 10:59 am
Brierley sold Air NZ Stake
NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3546400&thesection=business&thesubsection=transport&thesecondsubsection=aviation&thetickercode=BRY)
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Singapore company BIL International's 7.8 per cent stake in Air New Zealand fetched $96 million in the 24-hour bookbuild by Goldman Sachs JBWere.
The price - 42c a share - was at a 14 per cent discount to the share's closing price on Wednesday.
Trading in the stock on the sharemarket will resume today after a one-day halt.
</font>
Kiwi Flyer
Jan 29, 04, 11:01 am
Air NZ in court against Airworks
NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3546478&thesection=business&thesubsection=transport&thesecondsubsection=aviation&thetickercode=AIR)
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Cracks in the aviation industry are starting to appear as competition for the lucrative Fijian market heats up.
As low-cost airline Pacific Blue celebrated its maiden transtasman flight yesterday, Air New Zealand was in court taking action against aircraft operator Airwork.
Airwork's manager of flight operations, Barry Gordon, had photocopied confidential flight operations documents without consent from Air NZ. The national flag-carrier obtained a High Court injunction for the return of the documents.
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Kiwi Flyer
Jan 29, 04, 11:02 am
Freedom Air to Fiji HLZ-NAN and PMR-NAN
NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3546476&thesection=business&thesubsection=transport&thesecondsubsection=aviation)
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Freedom Air's airfares for its new routes from Hamilton and Palmerston North to Fiji will start at $199 one-way.
The fares to Nadi exclude an $8 per sector insurance surcharge and all other taxes.
Acting general manager Michael Young said this was the first of a number of new routes Freedom was considering. "We look forward to providing New Zealanders with more low-cost travel options."
Freedom's first flight to Fiji is scheduled to take off from Hamilton on April 29.
Flights from Palmerston North are due to commence on May 15.
Both launch dates are subject to Government approval.
Initially the services will consist of one flight a week from both Hamilton and Palmerston North.
The $199 fare is available for sale until February 16.
</font>
Kiwi Flyer
Jan 30, 04, 12:13 pm
OT: Wanted flight stewards who can shoot straight!
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Flying politicians and other bigwigs in the Air Force's flash new jets poses one question: who will serve the drinks?
Most people know the armed forces are short of staff, but few realise this includes a dearth of flight stewards.
Finding people to work the aircraft cabins in the Boeing 757s has been a big headache for the Air Force, which has asked stewards who have left to rejoin.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The tourism industry is celebrating another year of record overseas visitor arrivals.
Despite a shaky start to 2003 with the Iraq war and Sars virus affecting international travel, arrivals for the full year were up 3 per cent, according to figures released by Statistics New Zealand yesterday.
The 3 per cent increase, to 2.11 million short-term arrivals, follows a 7 per cent increase in 2002. </font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Origin Pacific, the Nelson-based provincial airline, is moving onto the main trunk air routes, but swears it is not about to "take on" Air NZ.
Origin will soon reveal details of more flights, with bigger planes between Auckland and Wellington.
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New Zealand led the way in visitor numbers to Australia last year and heated air fare competition should see numbers improve, Australia's main tourism export body says.
Final figures for 2003 published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that 839,500 Kiwis visited Australia, a 6.2 per cent increase on 2002.
</font>
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 13, 04, 1:36 pm
Kudos: Mr Norris awarded Asia-Pacific Aviation Person of the Year by Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines.
[Sorry still trying to get link.]
---
The following snippets are attributed to Mr Norris in NBR article.
... the company would continue to work with the Ministries of Transport and Foreign Affairs to secure Hong Kong - London traffic rights. Negotiations with UK authorities would resume late next month.
... tenders for upgraded premier-class cabins and IFE had gone to suppliers who would give presentations in Auckland this week. NZ would decide by the end of this month who would get the multi-million dollar contracts. There is urgency.
---
I note there is a short mention of the Qantas deal.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, may begin flying to Christchurch as early as June.
Company chairman Maurice Flanagan said yesterday that a service linking Christchurch and Melbourne was "pencilled in" to begin soon.
Since launching in New Zealand last year, Emirates has become the third-biggest carrier across the Tasman.
Flanagan said direct flights between Auckland and Dubai were also being investigated.
</font>
Presume refers to non-stop AKL-DXB as there is already direct (same flight number) via SYD and MEL and BNE.
B-HXB
Feb 16, 04, 12:52 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Kiwi Flyer:
Presume refers to non-stop AKL-DXB as there is already direct (same flight number) via SYD and MEL and BNE.</font>
Oh now that would be very
attractive indeed. AKL-DXB-LHR without any need to go through Sydney...
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 16, 04, 11:53 am
Privacy Commissioner concerns re Air NZ's drug testing
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Air New Zealand claimed a broad legal mandate yesterday for drug-testing its 10,000 employees, despite reservations raised in court by the Privacy Commissioner.
Airline lawyer Robert Fardell, QC, told the Employment Court at Auckland that the public had a legitimate expectation that the airline was safe.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
No-frills airline Freedom Air has a new online booking system that lets fly-anytime customers pay less for tickets.
Freedom Air's revenue manager, Darren McLean, said the Fare Choice system offered savings of up to 50 per cent to passengers who booked three weeks ahead and were flexible about when they flew.
It let them create their own fares by giving an individual price, based on the destination, the time period they could travel within, how long they wanted to stay and how many days notice they required before travel, he said.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Origin Pacific signed up with two new players yesterday, announcing partnerships with Air Tahiti Nui and Korean Air.
The Nelson-based airline will service the two international airlines domestically and is increasing its flights around New Zealand from April.
Direct flights between Auckland and Wellington have increased by one and there are now six flights a day.
New weekday services to Napier and Palmerston North have also been introduced.
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Edited to add this link (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3549964&thesection=business&thesubsection=latest), to a more informative article.
[This message has been edited by Kiwi Flyer (edited Feb 17, 2004).]
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 17, 04, 8:38 pm
Mr Norris .. Air NZ to invest $5m expanding Safe Air engineering facilities in Blenheim
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Kiwi Flyer:
Mr Norris .. Air NZ to invest $5m expanding Safe Air engineering facilities in Blenheim</font>
Good to hear - nice to know that there should still be the odd interesting aircraft to see as I pass through BHE a few times per year! It's surprising what you do see there, actually, given that the only scheduled flights are NZ's B1900s and whatever Origin flies in these days (J31s? J41s?) and bearing in mind that "Blenheim International" (as we have always referred to it) is not exactly the centre of the aviation universe. Last time I was there one of the old ex-RNZAF 7272 was in residence, plus we had some ex-Ansett BAE-146s for ages, as well as some military a/c, NZ Post Friendships and other bits and pieces.
All we need now is a regional Koru Lounge and I'll be happy! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
[This message has been edited by mad_atta (edited Feb 17, 2004).]
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
United States regulators intend to order modifications on 3800 commercial jets to reduce chances of a fuel tank explosion like the one that destroyed TWA Flight 800 in 1996. </font>
MrSydney
Feb 18, 04, 2:25 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mad_atta:
All we need now is a regional Koru Lounge and I'll be happy! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
[This message has been edited by mad_atta (edited Feb 17, 2004).]</font>
That's the funniest thing i have heard in months.......a Koru lounge in BHE. What don't
you ask Ralph Norris!
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 18, 04, 3:26 pm
Isnt there already a "perk" at BHE - of luggage arriving almost before you do? No long waits for bags here (or indeed other hick airports).
mad_atta
Feb 18, 04, 5:41 pm
<gasp!> I am going into cardiac arrest here!
Our cow-town boy from Masterton has the nerve to mock my suggestion for the urgently needed Koru Lounge at BHE International! (I have already suggested it to Ralph, along with direct flights to Sydney on an all-business class equipped A320 a la Lufthansa's DUS-EWR service, but his office has been strangely silent...) And now, the usually charming KiwiFlyer refers to it as a hick airport!!! Methinks we're gearing up for the first real flame war of the NZ forum! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Actually, KiwiFlyer, you're absolutely right, these tiny aiports do have their advantages - the bags usually take approximately 2 minutes to make it off the plane, you can park for free right outside, the check-in queues are seldom more than 1 deep, you can get away with arriving 10 minutes before a flight, and if you do decide to arrive earlier there's actually quite a respectable little cafe that turns out a decent flat white.
MrSydney
Feb 18, 04, 8:51 pm
Mad_Atta
FYI, Masterton is a glamorous, action packed town with the best nite life in the South Pacific so there!!!!
Does BHE have electronic baggage labels or are they hand written circa 1980??? Also, does it have a bar?
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 18, 04, 10:25 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mad_atta:
Actually, KiwiFlyer, you're absolutely right, these tiny aiports do have their advantages - the bags usually take approximately 2 minutes to make it off the plane, you can park for free right outside, the check-in queues are seldom more than 1 deep, you can get away with arriving 10 minutes before a flight, and if you do decide to arrive earlier there's actually quite a respectable little cafe that turns out a decent flat white.</font>
Yet more perks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif and with a 10 minute wait why the need for Koru Club?
Seriously, the few times I popped into Nelson koru club I wondered why I bothered. Nothing to write home about and barely time to pour yourself a drink and its time to board. Certainly not long enough to properly appreciate a fine wine or beer.
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 19, 04, 8:33 pm
Air NZ issues shares to News Corp for remaining cost of Ansett
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MrSydney:
Does BHE have electronic baggage labels or are they hand written circa 1980??? Also, does it have a bar?</font>
Embarassingly enough I think they are still using ye olde handwritten jobs - they always make me a bit anxious when I'm through-checking my bags for an international connection, yet they always seem to work. In other exciting BHE related news, it appears that Blenheim International is now to be graced once per week with a visitation of AirNZ aircraft almost 75% larger than those that currently fly there!!! Er, that would be a 33 seat Saab 340, but on the Blenheim scale of things that's like an A380!
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 23, 04, 11:07 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mad_atta:
In other exciting BHE related news, it appears that Blenheim International is now to be graced once per week with a visitation of AirNZ aircraft almost 75% larger than those that currently fly there!!! Er, that would be a 33 seat Saab 340, but on the Blenheim scale of things that's like an A380!</font>
I remember the time starlifter (from the US antarctic program) went to BHE for an airshow - probably in the 80s (showing my age!). Just seemed so massive compared to everything else there.
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 23, 04, 11:09 am
Some stories on Whenuapai airport option for Auckland
Today's NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3550872&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)
Another from today's NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3550871&thesection=news&thesubsection=general&thesecondsubsection=)
Yesterday's NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3550774&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)
Another from yesterday's NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3550742&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)
Edited to fix links
[This message has been edited by Kiwi Flyer (edited Feb 23, 2004).]
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 23, 04, 11:14 am
AKL airport pax growth and terminal improvement plans
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Big expansion plans have been unveiled at Auckland Airport as it moves to free up more space and facilities for more record years of visitor growth.
Total passenger movements for the last six months of 2003 were up 12.2 per cent and in January the airport passed the 10 million passenger mark in a 12 month period for the first time.
Such increases are expected to continue, and there are plans for expansion and further development of the airfield and terminals.
The first big change that passengers using the terminal will notice is the building of a new deck on top of the "pier" that aircraft pull up to.
It is being built after the Civil Aviation Authority told the airport that it must start separating people flying out of Auckland from those arriving.
Dividing departure areas is the latest in a series of security measures implemented at airports around the world after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
Passengers are being separated to stop arriving passengers who had smuggled weapons on a flight leaving an insecure airport giving them to screened outgoing passengers about to get on board a plane at Auckland.
Never slow to miss an opportunity to extract money from travellers, the airport company says a new deck will allow it to increase the number of shops in the terminal.
Four new aircraft stands are also being built to cope with increased passenger demand, with one able to service the new Airbus A380, double-decked aircraft, which is due to start flying commercially in 2006.
Existing airport customers Qantas, Emirates and Singapore Airlines have already ordered the new planes, which will carry around 555 passengers.
Passengers will be processed in the existing international terminal building, then taken by bus to their plane.
But a new $37 million covered walkway with travelators is due to be in use by midway through 2005.
This new walkway will eventually form the basis of a new pier, which will be capable of expanding to take 12 new gates.
The airport company says it will build these new facilities incrementally, so money will be spent only when it is sure the increased passenger and aircraft activity is sustainable.
The increasingly tired Air NZ domestic terminal looks unlikely to be getting any decent facelift in the next few years, since its days are numbered.
Eventually, the domestic terminals will be moved towards the site of the new second runway. The new runway will be used mainly by smaller jets and propeller aircraft on domestic routes.
Expansion timetable
Total passenger movements at Auckland Airport (5.3 million) for the last six months of 2003 were up 12.2 per cent. In January this year the airport passed the 10 million passenger mark in a 12 month period for the first time. The expansion will include:
Twelve new check-in counters plus new office space. Cost: $11m. Completion: October.
Extra apron space, with stands designed to take four Boeing 747 aircraft. Cost: $32.5m. Completion: October.
Travelator link between international terminal and new aircraft stands. Cost: $37m. Completion: June/July 2005.
Separation of incoming from outgoing passengers in international terminal. Cost: $38m. Completion: end of 2005.
</font>
Bet Mr Banks is regretting selling Auckland City Council's AIA shares so cheaply.
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 23, 04, 11:20 am
NZ subsidiary Eagle Air to increase provincial services
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Air New Zealand has announced an increase in services to several provincial centres that will be operated by its subsidiary airline, Eagle Air. The new services are effective from 19 March 2004.
"New Zealanders have approached domestic air travel very differently since Air New Zealand launched its new fare structure under Express Class over a year ago (November 2002)," said Eagle Air General Manager, Doug Roberts.
"Over one million additional people flew from regional and main city centres throughout the country in the first year.
"Eagle Air has expanded rapidly during this time, with a 43 per cent increase in the number of passengers carried. This is partly due to the popularity of Express Class but also the result of a 22 per cent increase in capacity since the introduction of the 19 seat Beech aircraft to our fleet some two years ago.
"We continually monitor how to best utilise our aircraft in order to meet any changing demand in our markets. This expanded schedule will better serve our provincial customers - for example, by providing a daily service in these areas or improving connections to other parts of the Air New Zealand network."
New return services are as follows:
Auckland-Tauranga: a new early morning weekday service
Auckland-Rotorua and Auckland-Taupo: previously a combined early morning flight
Auckland-Hamilton: additional middle of the day service
Auckland-Napier: new early afternoon flights on Thursdays and Fridays
Gisborne-Wellington: additional flight Monday to Wednesday
Blenheim-Wellington: additional evening flight Monday to Wednesday
Wellington-Westport: new flight on Saturdays, making a daily service on this route
Blenheim-Christchurch: new flight on Saturdays, making a daily service on this route
Christchurch-Invercargill: additional Saturday afternoon flight
Eagle Air is also commencing daily Christchurch to Wanaka return flights from 19th March. The new service makes Wanaka the 25th destination in Air New Zealand’s national network.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Nelson-based airline Origin Pacific has finished its push for post-Qantas partners, having established new relationships with three international carriers.
General sales and marketing manager Ewan Wilson yesterday announced deals with Malaysian Airlines, Garuda and Aerolineas Argentinas to provide add-on domestic fares for their passengers.
The deals are similar to those already signed with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, P&O Cruises, Air Tahiti Nui and Korean Air.
</font>
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 24, 04, 12:01 pm
Empty plane LAX-AKL after crew observe suicide on way to airport.
Very traumatising I'm sure - a big thumbs up http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif for Air NZ's prompt and compassionate action.
stewardo
Feb 25, 04, 9:26 am
Joan Rivers reckons Air NZ business class is "cheesy"
'..envisioning a plane full of kids shouting, "Look, Mom, Meryl Streep is sitting in the middle!" When it comes to skimping on first class, "What are they, crazy?" Joan says'
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
As Government ministers prepare to decide on the future of Whenuapai airbase, Auckland International Airport has again weighed into the debate, this time with an unsolicited "supplementary submission" on the issue.
More than 2200 submissions on the future of the military airfield have been made to the Defence Force, 75 per cent opposing the idea of a commercial airport.
Now Auckland International Airport has matched its rivals at Infratil and the Waitakere City Council by seeking a second bite of the cherry and sending a rebuttal to the Defence Force.
</font>
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 25, 04, 12:10 pm
Air NZ results
Updated:
Half year profit $105 million, up 12%
link to results presentation (http://erequest.airnz.co.nz/breaking_news/interim/resources/interim_2004_presentation.pdf)
link to Mr Palmer & Mr Norris speech (http://erequest.airnz.co.nz/breaking_news/interim/resources/interim_2004_combined_speeches.pdf)
Other docs can be found at www.airnz.co.nz (http://www.airnz.co.nz)
and
NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3551481&thesection=business&thesubsection=transport&thesecondsubsection=aviation&thetickercode=AIR)
[This message has been edited by Kiwi Flyer (edited Feb 25, 2004).]
Kiwi Flyer
Feb 25, 04, 11:02 pm
Flight centre charters to Fiji denied by Fiji government
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Hundreds of New Zealanders have had their holiday plans disrupted after the country's largest travel retailer postponed plans to fly to Fiji because it has not gained approval.
The Government has approved the flights, but Fiji authorities have not.
The Flight Centre was to start a regular service from Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch later this month but has postponed its flights for a fortnight to April 9.
The company is to use 737s for the flights, which started at $499 return. Bookings are understood to have been heavy. Each plane seats 136 people.
All those booked on flights during March will either get a full refund or be rebooked in April at no extra cost, Flight Centre communications manager Clare Naden said.
Freedom Air flights from Hamilton and Palmerston North to Fiji starting in April have not been affected.
The Air New Zealand subsidiary has approvals from both the Fiji and New Zealand Governments for a weekly service.
The inaugural Freedom flight out of Hamilton on April 29 is 75 per cent full while other services during the school holidays from July 2-19 are sold out.
The Flight Centre's announcement today is the second blow for the company, which is using Auckland aviation company Airwork to provide the planes under charter.
Last month, soon after the Flight Centre's plans for Fiji flights were announced, Air NZ took out an injunction against Airwork demanding the return of a photocopied operating manual for a Boeing 737-300 jet.
The High Court action was the result of Airwork staff photocopying an Air NZ Boeing 737-300 flight manual without permission.
Sources in Fiji say some motel and resort owners are angry that the Flight Centre has cancelled rooms the company had block booked.
Ms Naden said customers were put off by the limited array of properties on offer through the retailer.
"We want to offer a wider choice as we are getting the demand for Fiji but not necessarily all for certain properties."
She would not say which properties were affected.
</font>
Following on from the story on 16 Feb (page 1 of the thread) NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/latestnewsstory.cfm?storyID=3551656&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Exporters have lined up en masse to oppose the Government's plan to hit them with the bulk of a $20 million "terror tax" for the costs of extra border security post-September 11.
They told Parliament's government administration select committee yesterday the costs of extra security should be shared by all taxpayers.
Air New Zealand also told the committee that its already marginal freight operations would become unprofitable if it were lumped with a share of the extra charges.
</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Thousands of people planning a holiday in Fiji have had their bookings wiped by a cut-price operator.
Flight Centre, which began a price war with its deals starting at $399 for seven nights, yesterday scuttled the offer, blaming delays in obtaining the Fiji Government's approval.
Flight Centre managing director Graeme Moore said last night that the offer had been attractive and thousands of people had booked.
"We are now ... contacting all those customers affected to ensure they receive a full refund," he said.
They would also be given a $100 voucher for future travel.
</font>
I saw on telly that a Fijian government representative is denying Flight Centre's claims. Said they'd only just been given the paperwork and would be approved within a fortnight.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
...
But Roger Poulton, Air New Zealand's general manager for Pacific Island sales, said it had learned its lesson from Tasman Express and there would be no skimping on service.
"Customers in business class to Australia told us it was unacceptable, so we moved back to what they wanted and we will keep that full service on Pacific Express."
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
American Exress Welcomes Origin Pacific Airways As A New Membership Rewards Direct Ticket Partner
New Zealand's regional airline joins up with the fastest way to fly using points
American Express today announced a partnership with Origin Pacific Airways, giving Cardmembers the ability to redeem loyalty points directly for flights at great rates to regional destinations in New Zealand.
American Express spokesman Craig Dowling said it was an exciting enhancement to the company's Membership Rewards Direct Ticket initiative launched just two weeks ago, and already causing a stir in the market.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Budget airline Pacific Blue has adequate safety systems in place, New Zealand aviation authorities say -- despite a 90-minute restriction on how far its aircraft can travel from a runway.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported today that Pacific Blue's domestic Australian carrier, Virgin Blue, had been banned from flying more than an hour away from an airport at all times because of flaws in its maintenance records
</font>
90 minutes ETOP shouldnt affect trans-tasman, domestic or any potential south pacific routes (other than Cook Islands and Tahiti).
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Lobbyists have failed to persuade the Government not to claw $20 million out of their sector to pay for increased border biosecurity checks.
In its report on the Border Security Bill tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, the administration select committee left in place a "cost recovery" requirement.
If the bill is passed, a $20 million security fee will be applied to businesses to meet United States requirements for higher security standards because of fears of terrorism.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The Fiji government has given a third New Zealand airline -- Airwork Holdings Ltd -- approval to operate charter air services between New Zealand and Fiji.
But the announcement came too late for New Zealand's largest travel retailer, Flight Centre, which last week abandoned its plans for five charter flights a week to Fiji from April 9. The service included weekly flights out of Hamilton with accommodation from $399.
A spokeswoman for Flight Centre said the company had not ruled out the possibility of offering the packages again.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Super-cheap charter flights to Fiji from travel agency Flight Centre look unlikely to start soon, despite official approval for the flights to begin.
The Flight Centre last year joined forces with aviation company Airwork in a plan to start cheap charter flights to Fiji, using a Boeing 737 aircraft.
With prices cut to well below existing fares offered by Air NZ and Air Pacific, the move prompted a rash of ticket discounting. Air NZ even activated its budget carrier Freedom, pushing it on to Fijian routes that were due to be flown by the Flight Centre-Airwork venture.
This all fell over last week, however, after a delay in getting Fijian Government approval. This was finally given on Thursday, but the Flight Centre says there are no immediate plans to resuscitate its scheme. </font>
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Engineers at Air New Zealand say they will not accept company plans to cut their shift-work pay and drastically change their working hours.
Talks between the airline and 1200 workers from Air New Zealand Engineering Services in Auckland and Christchurch have broken down over the company’s plans.
Union advocate Bill Newson said that the company wanted the right to force workers who had been hired to work permanent day work to work shift work, and vice versa.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 12, 04, 2:19 pm
Origin Pacific increases baggage allowance for international passengers
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">42 BELOW (FTB) has been selected as the exclusive vodka for all Air New Zealand International flights, in First and Business Class.
Air New Zealand offers a unique, quality New Zealand experience. 42 BELOW aims to do the same, so it’s a great fit.
The selection supports the company’s strategy of partnering with premium environments here and around the world. CEO, Geoff Ross says “we are delighted to offer Air New Zealand passengers the same vodka that they will experience in venues like the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA or Zuma and Mju in London.
42 BELOW considers this to be an important achievement in the company’s global penetration strategy.
The selection came into effect this week, and the super premium, most southern made vodka in the world will take flight by the end of the month.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Pacific Blue doubled its trans-Tasman services today with the launch of two new routes - Christchurch-Sydney and Wellington-Sydney. The Wellington service marks the carrier’s first foray beyond its Christchurch home base.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Pilots face a crackdown on cellphone use while flying amid revelations the pilot in a crash that killed eight people had made a cellphone call just before the plane hit the ground.
An accident investigation into the June crash that killed pilot Michael Bannerman and seven Crop and Food Research staff is understood to blame pilot error for the crash.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 13, 04, 11:48 am
Pacific Blue says it will have domestic NZ flights by Dec
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Virgin Airlines will launch its cut-price New Zealand domestic airline by the end of the year, sparking a new round of cheap fares.
Travellers are also set to enjoy no-frills fares to Fiji, with clearance given for charter flights to the tourism hotspot.
The moves come as New Zealanders fly in record numbers, buoyed by cheap airfares, a greater choice of airlines, and the booming economy.
Pacific Blue - Virgin Airlines' New Zealand-based trans-Tasman operation - confirmed it planned to be flying domestic routes by December.
"It's high on the priority list," Pacific Blue boss Tony Marks said. "Our start date domestically is solely dictated by aircraft."
Within the next 12 months Pacific Blue will receive two more planes to add to its existing two Boeing 737s, which operate trans-Tasman flights out of Christchurch and Wellington.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Air New Zealand is preparing contingency plans for a threatened eight-day strike by 1200 maintenance engineers in a dispute over shift work.
But the unions are understood to be asking colleagues in Australia to restrict the airline's ability to send aircraft there for urgent maintenance.
The two unions representing engineers at Air New Zealand's lucrative maintenance bases in Auckland and Christchurch are threatening to start an overtime ban on March 30 and then, if this does not coax the airline back to negotiations, an eight-day strike from April 5.
Their actions will not affect day-to-day aircraft maintenance on airport tarmacs but would sting Air New Zealand financially in the most consistently profitable part of its operation, which is heavily dependent on work for other airlines.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 14, 04, 10:44 am
New customs rules for imports/exports from 1 March
[quote]A sacked flight inspector says he spied on pilots and bugged and taped their phone conversations with the approval of Civil Aviation Authority director John Jones.
Parts of a letter from Richard Cox, who was dismissed last year for misleading the CAA, were read to Parliament's transport select committee yesterday. "John Jones was fully aware that I listened to and taped both telephone and radio communications. We often joked about what we heard," his letter, read by ACT MP Rodney Hide, stated.
"The CAA provided me with equipment for the purposes of spying.. . Why else would I be provided with listening devices, recorders, binoculars and equipment including a telephoto lens," he said. [/url]
Kiwi Flyer
Mar 18, 04, 5:00 pm
2 dead after private jet trainer crashes off Ardmore
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">19.03.2004
11.50am
UPDATED REPORT - Two people are dead after a French jet trainer crashed into the sea in the Firth of Thames at Kaiaua, east of Pukekohe, this morning.
The plane is understood to have flown out of Ardmore, south of Auckland and crashed about 10am.
It is understood to be just 100 metres offshore. It is low tide about 1pm.
St John ambulance confirmed two died in the crash.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Eleven incidents involving cellphones on passenger flights have been recorded in the past five years, but the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says such incidents on small aircraft go unreported.
Overseas research shows cellphones interfere with aircraft avionics such as navigation equipment and autopilots.
Last week, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) found the cellphone call by the pilot of last June's fatal Piper Chieftain crash at Christchurch may have caused electronic interference.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Unruly plane passengers will face prosecution and stiffer fines under legislation passed by Parliament yesterday.
Associate Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said that in recent years there had been several incidents of unruly behaviour on aircraft including "offensive language and behaviour. . . raising serious safety concerns such as tampering with smoke detectors".
Under the bill, a regime of offences and penalties comes into force on June 1.
These cover acts endangering aircraft or passenger safety, interference with the aircraft such as tampering with a smoke detector, offensive behaviour, not obeying commands given by the pilot, being intoxicated, smoking, or operating portable electronic devices.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 20, 04, 6:28 pm
Wanaka flights start, new winter MEL-ZQN (Melbourne-Queenstown) and expanded SYD-ZQN & BNE-ZQN
From www.airnz.co.nz (http://www.airnz.co.nz)
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Air New Zealand's New Daily Service Touches Down in Wanaka
Fri 19 March 2004
Wanaka's new regular air service touched down at Wanaka Airport for the first time today, with the arrival of Air New Zealand's inaugural flight from Christchurch.
Air New Zealand's daily Christchurch to Wanaka return service flew into Wanaka at 11.45am to a red carpet welcome in front of local guests from around the district.
The new service makes Wanaka the 25th destination in Air New Zealand's national network and the 10th in the South Island.
The flights are being operated by Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Air, utilising 19 seat Beech 1900D aircraft with a flight time of around one hour.
"Flying in today was a great occasion because it marks the start of a new era for the Wanaka region," said Air New Zealand Group General Manager Marketing, Network and Sales Norm Thompson, who hosted passengers on the first flight.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Wanaka locals, regular travellers and holidaymakers to Wanaka, and we need their support to make this service an ongoing success."
From Monday to Friday the daily service departs Christchurch at 10.45am and arrives at Wanaka at 11.45am. The return journey will depart at 12.05pm and arrive at Christchurch at 1pm. The Sunday service will depart 10 minutes later both ways, and the Saturday schedule is for a 1.10pm departure from Christchurch and 2.30pm from Wanaka.
"Bookings for the new service have been solid, with the lowest $76 one way fares proving a popular alternative to driving for more than five hours between Christchurch and Wanaka," said Mr Thompson.
"As expected, the Friday service from Christchurch and the Sunday and Monday services from Wanaka are proving the most popular, with bookings for the first couple of months looking good.
"As for what the future holds we've seen what can be achieved by working closely with the Queenstown tourism community and we look forward to a similarly successful relationship with Wanaka."
Air New Zealand's domestic Express Class has seen passenger numbers on Queenstown flights increase by 21.4% in its first 12 months to more than 360,000 domestic passengers.
Air New Zealand is also introducing direct flights from Melbourne to Queenstown for the first time this winter, complementing its existing Brisbane winter service and increased Sydney services.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Rotorua ratepayers look likely to contribute $7 million to developments at the city's airport.
The airport company wants the cash to help pay for an upgrade of the terminal, as well as extending the parking area for cars and planes.
Though the money is intended to last 10 years, most of it will be paid over the next two years.
However, the biggest project - extending the runway - has been delayed for at least three years.
The decision follows months of angry meetings between airport directors and residents opposed to the extension.
It also comes as the airport is trying to attract budget airline Pacific Blue to Rotorua.
Several airports, including Tauranga, are competing to be included in Pacific Blue's domestic and transtasman routes.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The number of New Zealand tourists visiting Australia rose 25 per cent in February.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics preliminary arrival figures for February found a 6 per cent rise in tourists - 454,400 short-term arrivals, 26,900 more than last February during the Iraq war build-up.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 21, 04, 12:17 pm
WLG airport to build hotel
Presonally I cant see the point as Wellington is one of the easiest cities to get to the airport quickly. Although I suppose it may have merit for those living in Wairarapa, Kapiti Coast/Manawatu who have an early flight out to Oz/midnight return.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Wellington International Airport wants to build a hotel adjacent to its passenger terminal, says chief executive Simon Draper.
Hotel operators have been asked to submit expressions of interest for a hotel of about 150 rooms.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 21, 04, 6:57 pm
Unexpected Hong Kong tax bill of up to $107 million
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Air New Zealand has been hit with a huge tax bill from the Hong Kong branch of its subsidiary New Zealand International Airlines (NZIA).
The state-controlled company could face a tax bill of up to $107 million.
A revised tax assessment by the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department for 1989-2002 has landed NZIA with a $47 million tax bill, but the company warns a bill for a further $60 million could follow if Hong Kong's IRD re-assesses subsequent tax years.
Air NZ said it had advice it could challenge the assessment and expects the final tax due would be less than the $107 million bill.
Air New Zealand said the issue was about the appropriate application of Hong Kong tax law and there was no dispute over facts or the manner in which the tax returns were filed.
Air New Zealand said NZIA used professional advice in relation to its Hong Kong taxes and believed the tax returns had been filed correctly.
The company said because the Hong Kong IRD's assessments were made on a different basis they were unexpected and had not been provided for. But the company added any tax NZIA was required to pay could be met from its cash reserves.
NZIA's Hong Kong branch was established in 1989 to purchase and own all new aircraft for the Air New Zealand group.
But Air New Zealand's streamlining plans will eventually lead to the branch being wound down.
This will remove all potential future liabilities under the methodology adopted by the Hong Kong IRD.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 23, 04, 12:43 pm
More on the Hong Kong tax issue - NZ's IRD investigating
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Air New Zealand deals described as legalised tax avoidance have attracted the attention of the Inland Revenue Department after Hong Kong authorities hit the company with a surprise tax bill that could total $107 million.
The Hong Kong authorities' demand for Air New Zealand to pay an initial assessment of $47 million within the next six weeks on aircraft leasing deals dating back to 1989 will dominate today's meeting of the airline's board of directors.
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Kiwi Flyer
Mar 23, 04, 12:47 pm
Hamilton airport expansion to be announced today
Well, Pacific Blue certainly has the airports hopping for (in some cases well overdue) improvements. Interesting that Hamilton pushing to cater for 767s - maybe seeing Whenuapai as a threat?
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A $20 million expansion of Hamilton International Airport is to be announced today, providing the potential for long-haul travel.
The redevelopment, which was discussed at a confidential Hamilton City Council meeting yesterday, includes plans to extend Hamilton's runway so it can cater for larger jets from destinations as far away as Asia.
Such a move would provide opportunities for long-haul flights on Boeing 767s, an option now available only from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
This could open up a new host of destinations for Hamilton Airport, which has about 5000 flights passing through each month, mainly from Australia or within New Zealand.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Air New Zealand is going for an even bigger slice of the transtasman cake, with plans to boost capacity on its discount international carrier Freedom Air by 25 per cent.
Freedom Air, wholly owned by Air New Zealand, announced today it would lease an additional Boeing 737-300.
The aircraft is expected to begin flights in October with tickets going on sale next month.
The announcement comes just a day after Air New Zealand said it was ramping up the number of flights on its Tasman Express service by 8 per cent.
From July 2, Air New Zealand will increase its total number of flights to Australia to 125 per week from 116, making available an additional 100,000 seats a year.
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An announcement that they'll spend $NZ160m on improving in-flight entertainment and seating on the 747 fleet, saying that they want to add lie-flat beds in BC.
Air New Zealand is experiencing one of its busiest weeks ever for online bookings in response to its lowest ever domestic fare sale, which started on March 24 and finishes on April 5.
Features of the sale include Christchurch-to-Wellington one-way for $29, Auckland to Christchurch one-way for $59, and Auckland to Queenstown one-way for $89. Taxes, levies and surcharges are included, except where local airport charges are collected at time of check-in.
Group General Manager Marketing Network and Sales Norm Thompson said that more than half of the available seats have already been sold and he expected the remainder to be snapped up over the next few days.
"Customer's response to this offer has been phenomenal and in the first three days of the week there has been a 50% increase in the number of domestic airfares booked online," Mr Thompson said.
"Over 40% of tickets for domestic travel and almost 35% of tickets for Tasman travel are now booked via the internet by customers living in New Zealand. This is remarkable growth given that prior to the introduction of Domestic Express the figure was 16% and prior to the introduction of Tasman Express, the figure was 4% ."
Mr Thompson said customers were following the example set overseas and are using the internet in growing numbers for booking their everyday low fares.
"Booking online is not only convenient, it is the best way to secure the lowest fares with Air New Zealand."
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For the past 18 months, Air New Zealand staffers have been kicking some big tyres as they look for a new plane to add to their fleet.
Replacements are needed over the next few years for the airlines' nine ageing Boeing 767-300s, and rival plane makers Boeing and Airbus are locked in a battle to win the order.
Boeing is singing the praises of its twin-engined 777 family to Air NZ, and Airbus is trying to sell its A340, four-engined planes.
Prices of the aircraft are roughly comparable - from around US$175 million to US$200 million ($267 million to $305 million) each.
It is a tough decision for Air New Zealand managers, one that will have an effect on the whole airline.
The type of plane chosen dictates the type of routes that can be flown, which can open up a whole range of new business opportunities.
An announcement on which plane has won the beauty parade may still be a few months away, but a recent whirlwind visit to Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, organised by the company for New Zealand journalists, could be a clue that the 777 may be pulling ahead.
Air NZ needs a plane to replace its nine 767-300 aircraft - average age 8 years - which fly to Hawaii and then on to the US, and to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Legislation slapping a $20 million fee on businesses to meet United States requirements for higher security standards is under review, Prime Minister Helen Clark told Parliament on Thursday.
In its report on the Border Security Bill last month, the Government administration select committee left in place the "cost recovery" requirement.
Plans for a marriage with Air NZ have not been put at risk by Qantas' new scheme to set up a low-cost Asian airline, says chief executive Geoff Dixon.
Qantas is investing S$50 million ($45.8 million) into the new Singapore-based airline. Qantas will own 49.9 per cent, with the rest being owned by Singapore Government investment company Temasek and two Singapore businessmen.
Announcing the deal yesterday, Dixon denied it signified a shift away from its focus on forming an alliance with Air NZ.
"This has no effect on our relationship with Air NZ, in fact I rang Ralph Norris ... about two hours ago to tell him of the announcement and I had spoken to him in Australia only a week ago," he said. "He knows and we are still appealing to the various authorities in Australia and New Zealand on that particular issue and we are looking still to go forward if possible with some venture with Air NZ."
Waikato plane maker Pacific Aerospace says it needs more staff and a bigger factory to keep up with new orders for its aircraft.
Since aviation authorities gave approval for its flagship PAC 750XL plane to fly in the US, orders have been growing.
Potential buyers of the plane have signed up for 255 options - most of which were waiting for Federal Aviation Administration approval. Now this approval has been given, these options are becoming firm orders, with 20 now confirmed.
Australian aviation authorities have also recently given the plane approval to fly in their skies, and one aircraft left Hamilton this week for a new home near Sydney.
Pacific Aerospace describes the PAC 750XL as the first passenger aircraft designed and built in New Zealand.
While popular with skydivers, the 750XL is being promoted as a "genuine multi-purpose plane", suitable for carrying cargo, reconnaissance, sightseeing, commuting, mineral exploration, medical and mineral use.
Philippa Stevenson: Airport still has feel of Biggles
13.04.2004
COMMENT
The last time my daughter flew into Hamilton airport from Sydney she was in our home and handing me a gift of duty-free perfume by her flight's scheduled arrival time.
Oh the joys of living close to Hamilton International Airport.
Oh the joys of an airport whose character owes more to a domestic bus station than it does to international jetsetting
This is a better NZ Herald article (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3560620&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)
The Employment Court has given Air New Zealand the right to drug test its workers in a landmark case that has unions worried other industries will follow suit.
However, the court ruled out random testing across the board, saying Air NZ could not justify random testing of workers in positions where safety was not critical and there had been nothing to indicate drugs had been taken.
Air NZ chief executive Ralph Norris said he was pleased with the judgment which allowed the company to test for drugs after an accident or near accident, or if it had cause to believe an employee's dangerous behaviour was due to drugs.
Chief Judge Tom Goddard and Judges Barrie Travis and Graeme Colgan also said it was reasonable to test employees being transferred into positions where safety was a factor and for random testing of those working in "safety sensitive" areas.
With a decision on the future of the Whenuapai Air Base looming, supporters of a new commercial airport on the site say quick action from the Government is needed.
The Air Force has sent a draft report to the Government with its suggestions for disposal of the West Auckland airfield.
Infrastructure investor Infratil and the Waitakere City Council are pushing for a new commercial airport on the site.
Run as a cheaper alternative to Auckland International Airport, it would cater for low-cost carriers such as Air NZ's Freedom Air and Pacific Blue.
A paper with suggested uses for the base is due to be presented to the Cabinet by Defence Minister Mark Burton within two weeks.
Mangere Bridge residents are angry about a traffic-flow trial that they say has caused them delays of up to 45 minutes.
Transit New Zealand says overall flows have improved during its trial of an "easy merge" system of controlling access to the Southwestern Motorway by traffic lights electronically attuned to congestion.
But it acknowledges frustration among northbound Mangere Bridge residents queuing at the new lights at the Rimu St-Mahunga Drive onramp, and urges those from other suburbs to join the motorway further south.
The outsiders allegedly started "rat-running" through Mangere Bridge to loop around motorway congestion that used to extend almost as far south as the airport fork, and Transit says they have been slow to cotton on to easier flows since the trial began six weeks ago.
This has left some Mangere Bridge residents, frustrated by long delays at the onramp as traffic backs up through their township, driving more than a kilometre south to join the motorway at the tail-end of Coronation Rd before heading north towards the city centre.
How low can you go? Auckland to Sydney for $119, according to Air New Zealand - and it will throw in dinner, drinks and a movie.
In the latest round of the transtasman air wars, Air NZ yesterday started offering the special fare from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. You have to book by next Tuesday and travel between July 1 and August 31.
Qantas followed suit, matching Air New Zealand's offer. Then Air New Zealand's no-frills arm, Freedom Air, joined the chase, announcing Christchurch-Gold Coast fares of $119 for travel between July 1 and September 16.
Air New Zealand is tipped to buy a fleet of Airbus A330 twin-engine jets, worth up to $1.2 billion, to replace its Boeing 767-300 aircraft on medium to long-haul routes.
Aviation taxes are set to rise to pay for beefed-up security requirements resulting from the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
The Transport Ministry expects to raise the domestic aviation security levy in July or August and might raise the international departure tax.
At present anyone leaving New Zealand pays a $25 departure tax. Security charges are $4 a person per sector for international flights and $2.80 for domestic flights, but only on planes carrying 90-plus passengers.
Associate Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said: "We're talking 10c or maybe $1."
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A bit disingenous to suggest they are responding to the alleged Israeli spy case with biometric passports when they have been investigating for some time due to US demands.
The passport system may be beefed up to include sophisticated biometric tests in the wake of the arrest of two suspected Israeli agents accused of trying to obtain a fake New Zealand identity.
Internal Affairs passport manager David Philp said yesterday that the department was looking at ways of tightening the system.
"We are doing some work on biometric systems to see whether we can ensure that a person has only one passport," he said.
"I don't want to comment on the detail of what we are developing, but we do continue to look for new ways of mitigating the risks of fraud."
Mr Philp also indicated that the department was carrying out audits to see if any other passports had been obtained using similar methods to those allegedly employed in the case before the court.
A trust has been set up with funding of $250,000 a year to compensate those who live under the big jets thundering into Auckland International Airport.
The Auckland Airport Community Trust yesterday received the first of what will be annual payments of $250,000 from the airport company.
Forming and bankrolling the trust was part of a deal that the company struck in December 2001 with Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis, 2000 property owners and seven schools, so that it could build a runway at the airport.
The deal applies to all homes that are affected by noise from the airport's overall operations - not just for the yet-to-be-built second runway.
Trust chairman Roger Baldwin said the trust was developing the criteria for making grants.
It was seeking ideas for suitable projects from communities within the high aircraft noise areas.
He said some of the money would go to helping those property owners who could not afford works to quieten aircraft noise in their homes.
Apart from funding the trust, the company will pay three-quarters of the cost of installing a fresh-air ventilation system (not an air-conditioning system) for homes where it is too noisy to have windows and doors open.
The company's environmental and planning manager, John McShane, said this offer applied to about 420 homes within the high aircraft noise contour drawn on a map and revised annually.
A ventilation package would be offered to this group next April, he said, and they would be expected to pay a quarter of the cost.
Mr McShane said monitoring would determine two flight path noise contours - high and moderate - and these would be extended as activity at the airport increased.
When the noise reached a certain level, the company would make another offer that would cover the full costs.
The cost of passports is likely to rise and they may be issued for only five years, not the present 10, under a raft of new security measures, says Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Many changes to passports were already in the pipeline before revelations in the Weekend Herald that two suspected Israeli agents tried to obtain a fake New Zealand passport.
Police have arrested three African men allegedly trying to negotiate a business deal at an Auckland hotel with what looked like millions of American dollars.
They are thought to have been in New Zealand for about a month.
Detective Sergeant Ian Tuke, of the Auckland company fraud squad, said police found the men allegedly negotiating a transaction with a local businessman.
The fake money was sealed in plastic bags in a large metal suitcase with quality photocopies of US notes on the outside of each bundle.
The new carparking building which opened this week at Auckland International Airport's domestic terminal is being hailed as a world first for New Zealand design technology.
This carpark can easily be unbolted, pulled apart and then reconstructed on another site. It can also be converted into office space.
Built by Cassidy Construction, all sections of the carpark building were constructed off site and delivered to the airport on trucks, where they were bolted together.
This made the site quieter and cleaner, meaning carparking operations could continue nearby more easily. With traditional construction techniques, the joins are either welded or concreted together.
Strewth - Australian holidaymakers have flocked to New Zealand this year, enticed by cheaper transtasman airfares and a Tourism New Zealand advertising blitz.
Short-term visitor arrivals from across the Tasman were up more than 20 per cent in the first three months, a phenomenon Tourism NZ puts down to the jump in air capacity between the two countries and its own efforts to sell New Zealand as a holiday destination to Australians.
Statistics NZ's latest monthly arrival figures, released yesterday, showed just under 75,000 Australians travelled here on short-term visits last month, a 23.4 per cent increase on the number of arrivals during the same month last year.
Overall, short-term visitor arrivals for March from all countries were up 9 per cent.
Infrastructure investor Infratil said yesterday that passenger numbers through its 66 per cent-owned Wellington International Airport rose in March.
Domestic passenger numbers increased 12.3 per cent to 358,794 compared with March last year. International passengers rose 22 per cent to 45,200.
Relative to a year ago international capacity has increased 17.8 per cent, domestic capacity, 8 per cent. On March 10 Pacific Blue began a daily service to Sydney.
Jobs are on the line at Origin Pacific as the popular Nelson airline appears to be buckling under the pressure of New Zealand's viciously competitive air wars.
The fiercely independent airline, which has already complained to the Commerce Commission about alleged anti-competitive behaviour by Air New Zealand, admitted yesterday it was now considering ways of cutting costs.
Origin held meetings with its staff in Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and Auckland yesterday afternoon and gave notice redundancies were a likely outcome of a revised winter flight schedule.
Nelson airline Origin Pacific is cutting staff numbers and reducing flights after losing its partnership with Qantas.
Meetings were held with the company's 450 staff in Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland on Thursday telling them redundancies were likely.
And financial woes forced stranded passengers to scramble for other flights after Royal Tonga Airlines' only plane was grounded at Auckland Airport.
The Boeing 757, leased from Royal Brunei Airlines, was understood to have been prevented from flying on Thursday afternoon. It was due to leave for Tonga yesterday morning
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Another round of cut-price air travel is on offer between Australia and New Zealand with Freedom Air saying its $129 one-way offer is its best transtasman fare yet.
The airline had offered lower dual fares on a "buy one, get one free" basis, said spokesman Mark Street, but the $129 fare up for sale was the lowest yet offered from some cities.
Mr Street, also spokesman for Air New Zealand, said that airline, which owns Freedom Air, had no plans to match the deal at this stage.
A Qantas spokeswoman said she did not know whether the airline would drop its prices.
Freedom Air's special offer closes at 4pm on Wednesday and is available only through the company's website. The fares are available from July 26 to September 16.
24.04.2004
10.00am Air New Zealand today said it was looking at ways to help travellers stranded over the grounding of the plane used for Royal Tongan Airlines' international routes.
The Boeing 757, leased from Royal Brunei Airlines, was understood to have been prevented on Thursday from operating yesterday's service from Auckland to Tonga.
Air NZ said it working with Tongan authorities to help stranded passengers, but details had yet to been confirmed.
Air New Zealand is taking local fashion to new heights with the appointment of Zambesi to design its new uniforms.
The New Zealand design house will create new outfits for 3000 Air New Zealand employees, including cabin crew, frontline ground staff and Travelcentre staff.
The airline last commissioned new designs in 1992, which were updated in 1996.
Past designers for the carrier include Christian Dior as well as New Zealand designers Vinka Lucas, Thornton Hall, and most recently Barbara Lee.
Any New Zealanders stuck in Tonga after Royal Tonga Airlines suspended international flights on Friday are being advised to contact the NZ High Commission in Nuku'alofa.
The Tongan government-owned Royal Tongan Airlines (RTA) had been operating around the South Pacific with a chartered Royal Brunei Airlines Boeing 757, since November, but services stopped on Friday when the aircraft was returned to its owner.
New Zealand's High Commissioner in Tonga, Warwick Hawker, said today he did not know how many New Zealanders were stuck in Tonga as a result of the airline's problems, because the airline had put out almost no information regarding the apparent repossession of its 757.
Virgin Blue Holdings, Australia's second-biggest airline, has held talks with Asian carriers, including Malaysia's AirAsia, Singapore-based Valuair and Thai Airways International, to set up a discount air service.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said yesterday that Asia was probably the last big and low-cost market opportunity for airlines.
About 3.5 billion people lived within 3 1/2 hours flight of Hong Kong, Bangkok, Malaysia or Singapore.
"It's a tough market, but if you crack it, there are pots of gold there."
An Asian budget carrier would extend Virgin Blue's rivalry with Qantas Airways, which earlier this month said it planned to set up a discount airline with Singapore's state-owned investment agency Temasek Holdings.
Qantas' domestic discount unit, Jetstar, will begin flying on May 25.
Boeing gave the final go-ahead for its first all-new passenger jet in a decade yesterday, with an order for 50 7E7 Dreamliners from Japan's All Nippon Airways marking the single largest launch order in its history.
Designed to save struggling airlines money on fuel and operating costs, the 7E7 is Boeing's big hope to recover ground lost to European rival Airbus, which overtook it as the world's biggest commercial jet maker last year.
The steep price of developing the 7E7, which Boeing has not disclosed but industry experts have pegged at about US$10 billion ($16 billion), is putting added pressure on the US manufacturer to get market backing for the project right.
All Nippon's order was valued at US$6 billion at list prices and a dozen other airlines were set to announce their own 7E7 orders, Boeing said.
"We expect additional orders in the coming weeks and months," said Alan Mulally, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Germany's Lufthansa and Italy's Alitalia were among past customers likely to want the 7E7, analysts said.
Mounting difficulties at provincial airline Origin Pacific have forced the company to seek a deal with creditors.
The Business Herald understands that a group of creditors have successfully negotiated an arrangement with Origin Pacific, but agreement has yet to be reached with other, smaller creditors.
Such a deal would help the airline trade its way out of difficulties.
The future of Rotorua Airport has been revealed -- with a new terminal and more parking spaces for jets likely to be in place by Christmas.
The upgrade will cater for the possibility of Pacific Blue or another domestic jet service entering the market, as well as bringing the ability to cater for trans-Tasman flights a step closer.
...
Rolf
Apr 30, 04, 6:03 am
An announcement that they'll spend $NZ160m on improving in-flight entertainment and seating on the 747 fleet, saying that they want to add lie-flat beds in BC.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/01/1080544627923.html
This is great news for me, since I willbe crossing the Pacific in NZ C at least once a year (my last experience was not too good). Any idea when the new seating will be flying?
mad_atta
Apr 30, 04, 11:53 pm
Rolf, the current best estimate is that the long haul fleet will start being refitted in about May 2005. I'm not sure how quickly they will be able to turn the entire fleet around, but we are only talking about 8 747s here so hopefully it won't be a long drawn-out affair like QF's skybeds. The word on the street is also that F will go, to be replaced by the enhanced business / first product, but that has not yet been officially confirmed.
mad_atta
May 1, 04, 12:02 am
It's not often anyone beats KiwiFlyer to a scoop, but here's an interesting article about trans-Tasman air competition from the NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3563784&thesection=business&thesubsection=transport&thesecondsubsection=aviation&thetickercode=AIR):
01.05.2004
By CHRIS DANIELS
It's been called the most competitive aviation market in the world - 10 airlines cutting one another's throats for a share of the action.
The whole spectrum of airlines is fighting it out over the Tasman, from low-cost carriers Pacific Blue and Freedom right up to the opulent Emirates, with Air New Zealand and Qantas somewhere in the middle.
Prices have fallen dramatically in the past year and new flights between New Zealand and Australia are being added.
By the end of this year, new flights between Auckland and Adelaide, Christchurch and Melbourne, Wellington and Sydney and Queenstown and Australia will all be launched, adding even more pressure to a market where some say fares are already too low to last.
The Air NZ general manager responsible for the transtasman market, Andrew David, says there is no question about the importance of the routes for the airline.
"It's a core part of Air New Zealand's operation and will continue to be so. It's very much part of what we regard as our home market so that's full-stop in terms of importance."
After taking special discounts into account, he says fares across the Tasman have in some cases fallen by 50 per cent in a year.
"It's a very key market for us and it's probably the most fiercely competitive market anywhere in the globe. You've got currently 11 airlines [counting Freedom as a separate carrier] competing for a very small market.
"It is primarily because there are 11 airlines competing and the increases that we're seeing in capacity year on year." ....
Air New Zealand and Qantas head to court in Sydney today in a bid to overturn the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's refusal to allow an alliance between the transtasman airlines.
Their appeal will be held in the Federal Court by a three-member panel of the Australian Competition Tribunal, with hearings set down to continue to May 28.
The panel is expected to reserve its decision in a complex and fraught application rejected last September by the ACCC as highly uncompetitive, and blocked also by the New Zealand Commerce Commission.
More than 80 Origin Pacific staff are likely to lose their jobs as the Nelson airline struggles to stay on its feet.
Sara Poore, a human resources consultant hired by Origin Pacific to manage redundancies, said at least a quarter of the 350 staff directly employed by the airline would be made redundant.
If the unthinkable happens and the AirNZ / Qantas tie-up is allowed to proceed, let's hope AirNZ doesn't start using Qantas's caterers...
(from the NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3564322&thesection=news&thesubsection=general)):
Live frog found in airline salad
04.05.2004
By ANNE BESTON
A passenger on a Qantas flight received a nasty shock when she took the lid off her inflight salad to find a live frog on top of the cucumber.
The surprise was served on a flight from Melbourne to Wellington.
The woman had the presence of mind to slap the lid back on her meal, preventing the airborne amphibian from escaping.
Auckland International Airport and New Zealand's other airports may have to pay to improve baggage and passenger screening required to boost security, says Finance Minister Michael Cullen.
The Government was reviewing security at international airports and estimated new services would cost an extra $28 million a year, Cullen said.
Airport owners pay about a third of the $55 million cost of existing services and the Government the balance.
"The question is whether this is an appropriate mix. We will be asking the industry and consumers to consider what contribution airports, airlines and passengers might make to the cost of funding."
Passengers faced an increase of about $19 each if Government funding was withdrawn, Cullen said, citing a study by the Law and Economic Consulting Group.
...
trg2u
May 4, 04, 6:01 pm
Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2897350a13,00.html) Air New Zealand is automatically picking up most Qantas passengers who want to travel to regional destinations – at the expense of Origin Pacific.
Air New Zealand is still waiting for a letter from the Tongan Government guaranteeing repayment for carrying passengers stranded by Royal Tongan Airlines' financial woes.
Air NZ says it is still talking with Hong Kong authorities over its shock tax bill.
Hong Kong Inland Revenue told Air NZ in March that its subsidiary, NZ International Airlines, owed $47 million in unpaid tax from 1989 to 2002.
Air NZ says adding later years could add $60 million to the bill for a total of $107 million.
Kiwi Flyer
May 5, 04, 2:17 pm
..............................
mad_atta
May 5, 04, 5:55 pm
stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/marlboroughexpress/0,2106,2898509a6425,00.html)
Air NZ not planning to fly domestically in Oz
06 May 2004
SYDNEY: Australia's competition regulator yesterday grilled Air New Zealand chief executive Ralph Norris over plans for the airline to operate domestically in Australia, but he replied it was too risky.
He was on the stand for four hours yesterday at the hearing of Air NZ's and Qantas' appeal against the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) decision to turn down a deal which would give Qantas 22.5 per cent equity in the New Zealand airline.
The Australia Competition Tribunal heard that a few years ago Air NZ had considered gaining access into the Australian domestic market, as a feeder for its international market, but Mr Norris said this was no longer the case.
ACCC counsel Rowan Dark suggested to him that it would even more desirable for Air NZ to have a presence in the Australian domestic market, now that Qantas was operating domestically in New Zealand, because it would be disadvantaged otherwise.
Mr Norris said Singapore Airlines had been looking at entering the Australian domestic market a few years ago, but there had been no word since and he suggested they had abandoned plans. He said it would have be too much of a risk given Air NZ's more limited resources.
Mr Dark persisted, saying if the Qantas-Air NZ alliance did not go ahead it would be important for Air NZ to gain a foothold in the Australian market.
"We don't see it as a viable option," replied Mr Norris, saying aggressive competition already existed with Qantas, (its low cost subsidiary) Jetstar and Virgin Blue in the market.
He didn't agree with theories that it would be viable for Air NZ if it entered the Australian market in partnership with another airline, saying Air NZ would be "more implacably opposed" to the idea with the advent this month of Jetstar.
Kiwi Flyer
May 5, 04, 6:08 pm
It certainly would be harder now for NZ to get into Oz domestic market. It is one thing for Express roll out in NZ to be successful when it is basically leading the way and will take some time for any LCC to gain market share. It is quite a different proposition in Oz where DJ (Virgin Blue) already has such a large market share, with Qantas also aggressively competing on price.
I think NZ is wise to stay out of Oz domestic at this point in time.
A decline in Japanese tourism has put a dent in Air NZ's latest monthly operating statistics.
Across the whole airline, 1.05 million passengers were flown, up 8 per cent from the same month last year. This increase in passenger numbers was slightly less than the extra capacity put on during the month, meaning passenger load factors - in effect, the proportion of seats filled - fell nearly 2 per cent.
Hoary old rumours or a visionary insight into an ambitious, global aviation hub soon to be built in Auckland?
Air NZ chief executive Ralph Norris, giving evidence before the Australian Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, said he was in possession of confidential information that the Dubai-based airline Emirates was planning to establish a major international hub right here in Auckland.
An Air NZ spokesman yesterday said the company would not add to Norris' comments. Emirates managers in Dubai were looking at the comments before responding.
So what information could Norris have, that a rival airline, admittedly with ambitious global expansion plans, is keen on building a huge aviation hub at the most distant point of its network?
Reports of a hub first began circulating in late February, when Australian journalist Geoffrey Thomas said in an emailed aviation newsletter that Emirates was "investigating the feasibility" of the idea.
Without citing any source, Thomas said Emirates was "looking at services from Auckland to Fiji, Los Angeles/San Francisco and Buenos Aires as part of a major South Pacific expansion that would give it round-the-world capability".
He then went on to say Emirates was going to use its new flights to Australia and New Zealand to "draw Australian passengers onto its South Pacific network".
And until Norris' revelation in Sydney this week, that's as far as it went, with no more details of any such hub or South Pacific network, coming to light.
...
Origin Pacific managing director Robert Inglis is confident the airline will get the creditor support it needs to pass a rescue deal when the votes are tallied later today.
Mr Inglis said this morning that about half the 345 creditors had returned their response forms ahead of today's 5pm deadline.
Those received showed "extremely strong support" for the deal, which offered to pay creditors 40 cents in the dollar in the next five years.
Norfolk Jet, the airline of Norfolk Island, has asked for permission to start flying to New Zealand.
The airline, which hopes to start flying between Norfolk Island and Auckland by August this year, will pose a competitive threat to Air New Zealand, the only carrier on the route.
British Airways, Europe's second-largest airline by passenger traffic, is considering adding a fuel surcharge on tickets after crude oil prices surged to a 13-year high of US$40 a barrel.
An extra fee may be imposed before it released its 2004 earnings figures this month, a spokesman said.
The amount had yet to be determined and the airline had not decided how much oil prices would need to fall to prevent the move, he said.
Any move by British Airways would follow the April 21 decision by Continental Airlines, the United States' fifth-largest airline, to raise one-way ticket prices by US$5 for some domestic flights, which was matched by AMR Corp's American Airlines, the world's largest carrier.
New Zealanders with passports beginning with the same number series as those discovered as being counterfeit in Thailand last week are being offered replacements at no cost.
The replacement passport will be valid up to the expiry date of the existing passport.
Department of Internal Affairs passport manager David Philp says the replacements are being offered due to recent investigations that uncovered counterfeit New Zealand passports in Thailand being produced using the N379 number.
"We've previously contacted passport holders whose specific passport number appeared to have been affected and some have taken us up on the offer to replace their passport.
"It now appears that more passports may be involved, so we're broadening our offer," Mr Philp said.
He says while the genuine N379 passports are still valid for travel, the replacements are being offered to provide assurance for customers that they will have no unusual delays or problems when using their passport.
People holding N379 passports can apply for a new passport by phoning 0800 22 50 50 or visiting www.passports.govt.nz.
Origin Pacific managing director Robert Inglis will sleep better this weekend, knowing New Zealand's second-biggest airline has creditor support for a rescue deal which will keep it flying.
Mr Inglis said the rescue deal had been "adopted overwhelmingly" by creditors.
He was happy the number of redundancies involved will be fewer than the 80 initially considered necessary.
"I've been really encouraged by the very high level of support from our creditors," Mr Inglis said. "The overwhelming majority support us and we'll be making an announcement on the result of the vote on Monday."
The Nelson-based airline's 345 creditors had been asked to vote on a rescue plan in an effort to stave off receivership or liquidation. Under the plan, the airline's main unsecured creditors will get just 40 percent of the $11.4 million owed to them over five years.
About 300 passengers on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland spent more than four hours stuck on the tarmac at Ohakea air base yesterday morning after the Boeing 747-400 was diverted because of fog.
The aircraft landed at Ohakea, 29km northwest of Palmerston North, about 7.30am and did not take off again until 11.45am.
...
I pity the poor screener in attendence when I go through!
It may sound like a gadget from a futuristic Arnold Schwarzenegger film. But full-body scanners - which see straight through people's clothing - are coming soon to airports in the UK.
A high-tech security screening system, designed to detect guns and other offensive weapons concealed on the body, will this month be unveiled by the defence technology firm, Qinetiq, which is part-owned by the Government.
The scanners, expected to be deployed within a year as part of Britain's armoury against terror, capture the naked image of a traveller even if he or she is wearing several layers of clothing. But to protect people's modesty they come replete with "fig leaf technology" that detects which parts of the body need screening out.
...
DavidNZ
May 10, 04, 4:54 am
RE: NZ Jumbo diverted to Ohakea (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3565470&msg=emaillink)
"Passengers were told Wellington Airport's runway was not long enough and Christchurch was marginal."
CHC marginal? For a 744? And I know they've put older 742s in at WLG. Not that I would want to be on one when they DID.
Zinzan
May 10, 04, 6:22 am
CHC marginal? For a 744?
I suspect it refers to marginal weather conditions (e.g. fog), rather than runway length. Certainly CHC can handle 744s.
Kiwi Flyer
May 10, 04, 1:28 pm
Yes CHC can handle 747s, as evidenced by the returning flights from Japan that land there before heading up to AKL.
Kiwi Flyer
May 10, 04, 1:29 pm
Now may be a good time to book that travel that is planned.
Competitive pressures from rivals may prevent Air NZ from raising ticket prices in response to the big rise in world jet-fuel prices.
Fuel prices are at levels not seen since late 2000, with Singapore Jet, the benchmark price of aviation fuel for Air NZ, going up more than 30 per cent in the past four weeks.
World airlines, including American Airlines, Continental and Air Canada, have this year all cited increased fuel costs as the reason for raising their fares. British Airways has suggested it will also put up its prices.
Air NZ says it faces intense competition, particularly on the Tasman, so any move to increase prices may have to wait for rivals to move first.
A merger between Air New Zealand and Qantas would enable the airlines to improve their efficiency in the long-haul service market, Air NZ chief executive Ralph Norris said yesterday.
Mr Norris was on the stand for the second consecutive day at the Australian Competition Tribunal as part of an appeal by Qantas Airways and Air NZ against the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) rejection of their planned merger.
Under the plan, Qantas would buy a 22.5 per cent stake in Air NZ.
When questioned by Noel Hutley, SC, counsel for New Zealand travel distribution group Gullivers Pacific, which is giving a submission to the tribunal, Mr Norris agreed that the long-haul industry was one of Air NZ's primary concerns and said it would become an increasingly difficult market to operate in.
While 75 per cent of Air NZ's assets were tied up in its long-haul business, it provided only 5 or 6 per cent of overall company profits.
...
taupo
May 10, 04, 2:54 pm
While 75 per cent of Air NZ's assets were tied up in its long-haul business, it provided only 5 or 6 per cent of overall company profits.
This last paragraph is very surprising to me. I was under the illusion that long haul is where the profit is. I have only flown two NZ long hauls this year (LAX-AKL-LAX), both were pretty much full. F had a couple of spare seats, J/C was packed, Y was at least 85%.
Does this mean that NZ is making good money on its domestic and trans tasman ops?
Kiwi Flyer
May 10, 04, 3:16 pm
Suprised me too.
My initial thought was whether they are allowing for flow-on traffic - ie a proportion of long-haul pax then connect to domestic or short haul - or otherwise some misleading comparison.
Then thinking a bit more, domestic and short haul flights have lower cost (?), are fuller, and less award/upgrades as a proportion(?). The fare levels/discounts is a bit trickier. While peak hour routes between main centres I'd expect not so much discounting, and some regional routes where there is no competition to speak of; clearly there is a reasonable amount of discounted fares available for domestic and short haul as evidenced by the success of Express (NZ and Tasman and soon Pacific). Maybe NZ has a higher proportion of cheap package fares on long haul than I expected?
Next thought was maybe more of the shorthaul a/c are leased compared with 747s and 767s and so may be distorting things. According to http://www.airnz.co.nz/aboutus/fleet/default.htm there is a little more leased for shorthaul but not much in it.
Then it hit me. There are 18 long haul a/c and 69 shorthaul. Assuming utilisation is roughly the same (it wont be) and relative profitability is 50% worse for longhaul then we get long haul contributing just 11% of total profits.
To sum up, I think the reference makes sense (just & I am making many assumptions) but may be somewhat misleading and perhaps designed to grab attention rather than shed light on the true picture.
taupo
May 10, 04, 10:05 pm
Then it hit me. There are 18 long haul a/c and 69 shorthaul. Assuming utilisation is roughly the same (it wont be) and relative profitability is 50% worse for longhaul then we get long haul contributing just 11% of total profits.
It would be interesting to see the profit on both long and short haul relative to ASMs. Surely long haul would be more profitable.
Your final comment rings very true. One of the amazing things with stats and numbers, you can twist them anyway you want, just ask corporate America.
Fog grounded Auckland air traffic and left drivers on a slower crawl than usual to work yesterday morning.
About 70 domestic flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Auckland's international and domestic air terminals were cancelled, and four international flights were diverted to Wellington and Christchurch.
...
As well there is mention of changes to their network, and return to hub and spoke system.
I think the idea is that they are actually moving away from a hub and spoke system, to concentrate more on point to point flying in the true low cost airline model. The hub and spoke was more to fit in with QF's mainline services, which is of course no longer relevant to them.
What was meant to be a quick flight of just over an hour ended up being a nightmare seven-hour trip for a Rotorua woman.
The final straw came when the Qantas flight the woman was on had to pull up suddenly before landing -- after being told it could not land because there was a car on the runway.
The woman, who does not want to be named, was supposed to leave Christchurch airport at 11.35am on Wednesday and land in Rotorua just before 1pm.
But the flight was more than an hour late leaving Christchurch and could not land in Rotorua because of bad weather.
The plane was diverted to Auckland, but its first landing attempt failed.
The woman said the plane got close to the runway, with the wheels nearly touching the ground, when it suddenly lifted again.
A flight attendant told passengers the landing had to be aborted because there was a car on the runway.
"It was actually a bit scary. I don't know what would have happened if we had hit the car," she said.
The plane circled for about 20 minutes before landing.
The passengers then had to bus from Auckland to Rotorua.
The travel-weary woman finally walked in the door at her home in Rotorua just after 7.30pm.
Qantas New Zealand operations general manager Grant Lilly said he had spoken to the captain of the flight who confirmed there was a vehicle -- not a car -- on the runway, which prevented the plane from landing.
Mr Lilly denied the plane had to lift suddenly, saying the captain was aware of the vehicle well short of the runway.
Virgin Blue has joined Qantas and Air New Zealand in imposing a fuel surcharge on its fares to compensate for rising fuel prices.
The airlines have all chosen May 17 as the day to introduce the extra charge.
All bookings on Virgin Blue from May 18 will incur a six dollar surcharge per one-way trip, while Pacific Blue flights will cost an extra 10 dollars per one-way journey.
..
And inaccurate too - there are still hot meals on dinnertime Tasman Express and Pacific Express flights.
So what was the actual point of that story, I wonder? Was it the fact that airfares are about the only thing to have got cheaper lately?
Kiwi Flyer
May 16, 04, 1:23 pm
Could be - the inflation (CPI) was recently updated and made a big point of it. My first impression was they had to pull another article at the last minute and just tried to cobble together ideas on the fly.
Ms Jackson, who was also Australian chairwoman for the inaugural Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum, joined New Zealand co-chairman Kerry McDonald in strongly advocating the abolition of passport controls to spur more efficient movement of people between the two nations.
Tourism experts present estimated the move would fuel growth in passenger levels by about 20 per cent - worth an extra $1 billion a year to the New Zealand economy.
The two Foreign Ministers, Phil Goff and Alexander Downer, welcomed the proposal but said there were some big issues to iron out, which could take years, before Australians and New Zealanders could "fly domestic" to each other's countries.
Among the thorny issues on which the two Governments would need to agree were common procedures for customs, immigration, quarantine and biosecurity measures and aviation security.
[quote]
Qantas chairwoman Margaret Jackson has criticised security measures at Auckland Airport, saying it is a weak link in terms of global terrorism.
Ms Jackson said it did not meet international security protocols requiring separate arrival and departure halls.
The airport - which has a Government exemption from the rules - is understood to have drawn up plans for separating inward and outward passengers. But they are not expected to be implemented for 12 to 18 months.
Ms Jackson said the matter was urgent.
Auckland Airport's security procedures came under the spotlight during a session on the formation of a common border between Australia and New Zealand at a transtasman summit in Wellington.
An Australian businessman told the Herald that "people from all of these potentially failed states in the Pacific come in and mix in the same corridor with those going out ... it opens the way for terrorists to make a bag switch if no one is looking".
Airport and security chiefs rejected the claims of a weak terrorist link.
Auckland Airport chief executive Don Huse said the measures in place meant there was no risk to travellers, to New Zealand or to destinations the airport served.
"We meet all the requirements of aviation security," said Mr Huse.
Plans have been developed to build a second level to separate incoming and outbound passengers.
In the meantime, said Mr Huse, secondary screening meant passengers were security-checked after they had mixed with others heading in a different direction.
"The security measures ensure there is absolutely no risk."
Mark Everitt, general manager of the New Zealand Aviation Security Service, described Ms Jackson's comment as "off the wall".
"Cross-flow passenger mix happens at Tom Bradley Airport in Los Angeles," he said. "Yes, it is an issue, but it's covered. It's been identified and is being changed.
"All airports are struggling with security demands post-September 11 and we are in compliance with all international rules."
...
[quote]
Unsustainable competition on the Tasman route means Virgin Blue subsidiary Pacific Blue will not be flying from Auckland to Australia any time soon, though New Zealand domestic services may be on their way.
Announcing a full-year net profit of A$158.5 million ($183.2 million), Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey said that Pacific Blue would start flights from Australia to Fiji and Vanuatu in September, with other new destinations announced in the first half of the 2005 financial year.
Pacific Blue would "continue to expand" its transtasman services, though it would "remain a spectator" on the Sydney-Auckland route, since other routes offered better returns.
...
taupo
May 17, 04, 2:45 pm
The mixing on inbound and outbound passengers should not cause a problem at AKL. The outbound have been checked at the first security checkpoint, the inbound have been checked at their departure point. The outbound get checked again, where is the security risk? IMO, the only problem is the hassle to the passengers of being checked again.
As is pointed out, it happens at Tom Bradley with no apparent problems.
I view Ms Jackson's comments as more of a QF vs NZ or NZ vs OZ issue, nothing to do with real security concerns.
I don't see there is a problem too. If Qantas has to jump up and down about security, they should complain about SIN first, which has far more international traffic than Auckland. I admit in SIN, there is a secondary security check when people entering the departure gate lounge from common area (which is just separated by a piece of glass). But in most cases, arriving and departing pax are mixed in the common area. So, how come Qantas has never blinked about this? And even worse is, SIN has no way to separate departing and arriving pax as the terminal building will not allow since a change.
Air New Zealand could add services to China after the two countries agreed to increased access under a new aviation agreement.
New Zealand and Chinese airlines would be able to fly to and from any city in either country, Transport Minister Pete Hodgson said. Restrictions on the type of aircraft and the number of airlines that could operate had also been removed, increasing the seat capacity between the two countries.
China was New Zealand's third-biggest source of Asian visitors, with about 22,000 arrivals in the year ended March 31. Air New Zealand expects to choose a new aircraft this month to replace its Boeing 767-300 planes that service cities in southeast Asia, and will then review where it flies, spokesman Mike Tod says.
Pacific Blue has announced fabulous new fares on its Trans Tasman flights while at the same time revamping the flight schedule to make it more convenient for both business and leisure Guests.
The new schedule, which comes into place on 01 June, will see the Christchurch to Melbourne service departing at 6.40am instead of 6.00am and Christchurch to Sydney 7.25am instead of 6.30am. There will also be slight changes to the Christchurch to Brisbane and Melbourne to Christchurch routes.
Pacific Blue Chief executive Tony Marks says “While we recognise that Guests like to make the most of their holiday time by getting to their destination early, we also acknowledge that the leisure traveller doesn’t have quite the same commitment or desire to getting out of bed at 4am to hop on an aircraft”.
He added, “By making these services later in the morning, business travellers can still get to their destinations for a full day at work, but mum, dad and the kids can have a more relaxed approach to their holiday. Pacific Blue is not just about offering the lowest airfares but also a friendly and high quality service that puts the fun back in flying”.
To compliment its new schedule announcement, the Christchurch based airline has launched a sale, cementing its position as the low fare leader in the New Zealand market.
Currently operating a daily service from Christchurch to Brisbane, Guests can now snap up a sale fare for only $149* one-way on the net between Christchurch and Brisbane.
Christchurch to Melbourne and Sydney flights along with Wellington to Sydney flights are up for grabs from $99* one-way on the net.
“This is a great opportunity for New Zealanders to escape the winter and head to Australia, whether it be for some sun and sand up north or some serious shopping down south. It will also be a bonus for Australians wanting to pop over here to visit family and friends or get in some early skiing so it’s a win- win for everyone”, Tony Marks finished.
Pacific Blue fares are on sale between now and 24th May 2004 for travel from 01 June until 15 September*.
* All fares are for flights booked on the Internet. $10 more by phone. On sale from now until May 24 2004 for travel from June 1 2004 and September 15 2004. Fares are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or peak days.
Kiwi Flyer
May 20, 04, 4:12 pm
From www.airnz.co.nz
...
Since Air New Zealand announced in March average savings of more than 50% on lead-in airfares from New Zealand to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, bookings for the next 12 months have more than doubled, up 107% on the same period of the previous year.
Air New Zealand's Pacific Express Fares offer low year-round airfares between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and also between the Islands and Australia.
Lead-in Pacific Smart Saver fares from Auckland to the Cook Islands are $289 one way, Fiji $229 one way, Samoa $289 one way and Tonga $199 one way.
Passenger bookings in the first week after the announcement peaked at more than 20,000 in one day, approximately triple that of previous booking levels at the same time the year before.
...
"Online bookings are also strong. From a pre-Express base of around 1%, online peaked at more than 23% of all bookings with a current average of 16% which is very pleasing."
Air New Zealand has increased capacity to the Cook Islands during upcoming peak school holiday travel to cope with the increased demand.
July will see two additional Boeing 767 services added that month, as well as the replacement of two Boeing 767 services with larger Boeing 747 aircraft, a total of 1,250 additional seats on the route. In September and October an additional weekly Boeing 767 service will operate, a total of 16 additional flights over the two months.
Capacity between Auckland and Fiji is also being increased by 9% compared to the previous 12 months.
...
On average, 35% of seats available on Pacific Express are in the lowest Pacific Smart Saver category.
Arrivals of short-term overseas visitors to New Zealand increased 23 per cent to 184,400 last month compared with April 2003, according to Statistics New Zealand.
This is the largest month-on-month percentage increase for any month since April 1992, when arrivals increased by 27 per cent compared with April 1991.
Last month, there were more visitors from Australia (up 29 per cent) and countries in Asia (up 33 per cent) than in April 2003.
In the year ended last month, there were 2.197 million visitor arrivals, up 6 per cent on the previous April year, with more visitors from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany, but fewer visitors from Japan, China and Taiwan.
New Zealand residents departed on 144,100 short-term overseas trips last month, a rise of 37 per cent or 38,800 on April 2003 -- the largest percentage increase since March 1996 (up 44 per cent) and the largest absolute increase on record.
There were more trips to Australia (up 34 per cent), Fiji (up 54 per cent) and the United States (up 43 per cent).
In the year ended last month, New Zealand resident short-term departures numbered 1.472 million, up 14 per cent on the year ended April 2003.
New Zealand and Australia are providing technical assistance to Tonga on winding up Royal Tongan Airlines (RTA) and briefing prospective operators, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said today.
RTA collapsed this week after a lack of funds forced it to halt its inter-islands services following the end of its international operations last month.
The South Pacific airline's local division stopped services and sacked 100 staff after the only aircraft it was still flying, which provided a domestic service, broke down and it could not find funds for repairs.
Royal Tongan's international services were grounded in April when Royal Brunei Airlines repossessed a leased Boeing 757 airliner.
Mr Goff said the collapse could not have come at a worse time, with the main tourist season about to start.
"Without domestic services to the main tourist destination, Vavau, you can't get there," he told NZPA.
"So that is a major problem."
The New Zealand and Australian governments were providing Tonga technical assistance on how to wind up the airline and on briefing prospective operators, which included Air New Zealand.
...
ntddevsys
May 22, 04, 3:25 am
Plane only 800m from disaster
A SYDNEY-BOUND Qantas flight was placed on a collision course with an Air New Zealand passenger jet by Indonesian air traffic controllers, it has been revealed.
Travel agents are accusing airlines of misleading passengers about the true cost of fares through the use of fuel "surcharges".
They say the airlines are leaving it to them to tell bargain-hunters that advertised prices bear even less resemblance to true travel costs now that fuel surcharges have joined other hidden items, including insurance fees and airport taxes.
With the fuel fee, extras have collectively risen to about $185 on a return trip from Auckland to Sydney, adding 55 per cent to the cheapest fares of $338 advertised by Air New Zealand and Qantas.
Air New Zealand is facing complaints to the Human Rights Commission alleging discrimination against some wheelchair-bound passengers.
The commission says it has received at least one complaint against a new policy of the airline requiring passengers with "a significant level of dependency" to be accompanied by their own support person.
Airline spokesman Mark Street said an increasing number of employees had suffered lost-time injuries from heavy lifting and the policy was simply a health and safety measure to comply with tighter legislation.
It applied only to passengers whose level of dependency was such that they normally required a two-person lift or mechanical device to move positions.
"We are talking about someone who needs assistance to get on to the toilet or into a car," he said.
...
trg2u
May 23, 04, 6:09 pm
[QUOTE=ntddevsys]Plane only 800m from disaster
A SYDNEY-BOUND Qantas flight was placed on a collision course with an Air New Zealand passenger jet by Indonesian air traffic controllers, it has been revealed.
The United States Army held a New Zealander in prison in Iraq for nearly three months while American representatives denied any knowledge of his whereabouts.
New Plymouth man Andreas Schafer, 26, vanished in Iraq in March, sparking a frantic search by his mother for information.
In an emailed response to Herald questions, Mr Schafer has told how he was detained in an Iraqi prison for nearly three months and interrogated repeatedly by the US Army before being freed yesterday.
Mr Schafer, who is now in Amman, Jordan, said in the email that he had been in Afghanistan, where he was developing software for a non-governmental organisation, when he decided to head overland via Iran to Iraq to do similar work in Baghdad.
Pilots want an extension to smaller aircraft of collision avoidance equipment used to avert a crash between Air New Zealand and Qantas airliners over Indonesia.
Airline Pilots Association president Paul Lyons said yesterday that the traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) required on all aircraft of more than 13.6 tonnes was "a wonderful piece of kit" which had prevented many accidents internationally.
He said pilots had been pushing for an extension of the system to smaller aircraft, and were pleased it would become mandatory by the beginning of next year for intermediate-sized planes of from 20 to 30 seats or heavier than 5.7 tonnes.
But he believed it should be required of all aircraft operating in controlled and therefore contested airspace - even gliders, which often flew higher than 7000m.
Qantas Airways' new low-cost domestic venture takes off today as Australia's biggest airline launches its most serious challenge yet to Richard Branson's discount airline Virgin Blue.
Passengers have snapped up bargain tickets for as low as A$29 on Jetstar flights along busy eastern seaboard routes, but analysts caution the carrier still has to tread carefully to avoid cannibalising Qantas' mainline market or embarking on an unsustainable price war.
...
mad_atta
May 24, 04, 6:16 pm
As a semi-regular on NZ's little puddlejumpers, it's nice to know that even those are fitted with the collision avoidance systems:
Air NZ chief pilot David Morgan, the airline's head of safety and operations, said his organisation had not waited for a change to civil aviation rules before equipping even the smallest aircraft in its fleet with the computerised system.
He said its subsidiary Eagle Air's 20 Beechcraft 1900s had both collision avoidance and ground proximity systems, even though they carried only 19 seats each.
(from the same NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3568397&thesection=news&thesubsection=general&thesecondsubsection=) story Kiwi Flyer linked to above)
Kiwi Flyer
May 24, 04, 6:58 pm
Good to know for the traffic between WLG and BHE or NSN - a lot of aircraft in that airspace.
Of course I'd also like to think NZ ATC are better than Indonesian (or Swiss)
A flight carrying 31 passengers from Wellington came to a jarring stop when the 66-seater aircraft became stuck in soft grass as it taxied towards Nelson Airport on Monday.
Airport general manager Kaye McNabb said the incident happened at 7.20pm as the Air New Zealand Link ATR aircraft, operated by Mount Cook Line, was moving towards the terminal after landing.
One wheel left the tarmac and sank in soft grass on the edge of the runway, causing the aircraft to come to a halt.
Mrs McNabb said it was a minor incident and no passengers were put at risk.
Capital's Koru Lounge Celebrates Nz Contemporary Art
Air New Zealand has transformed its busy Wellington Koru Lounge into a visual feast with today's launch of a managed art programme for Wellington.
John Daly-Peoples, highly respected art critic and advocate for the arts, has selected a special exhibition for the Wellington Koru Lounge in conjunction with one of the city's most established fine art dealers, the Tinakori Gallery.
This first collection of artworks, which will stay in the Wellington Koru Lounge for four months, features works by Eugene Kara, Randal Leach, Aimee Ratana, Simon Kaan, Ben Clarke, Matthew Browne and Lorraine Rastorfer.
Winning gold at the Chelsea Flower Show is the British publicity equivalent of picking up the same at the Olympics or winning the Rugby World Cup, Tourism boss George Hickton says.
Yesterday the New Zealand garden at the historic event won one of four gold medals in the show garden category and from the gates opening at 9am people were queuing to see it. For most of the day queues were about 1-1/2 hours long.
Mr Hickton, Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) chief executive, told NZPA it would be hard for New Zealanders at home to understand the impact of the gold here.
"There are significantly more people in this country interested in gardening than sporting events and particularly in our target market." TNZ targets visitors who have a good income and spend more time in New Zealand doing more activities when they visit. Research showed this group was interested in gardening.
"People in New Zealand probably wouldn't see just how significant an award at Chelsea really was. It's much more significant than sporting events.
Air NZ has just made a lot of new friends in the South Island, saying it will start flying non-stop between Christchurch and the United States.
From November, the airline will fly three times a week from the South Island to Los Angeles, with a matching drop in flights from Auckland.
Auckland flights to LA will drop to two a day, instead of 17 times a week.
The flights to Christchurch mean an extra 60,000 seats a year into and out of the South Island.
Ian Bougen, chief executive of Christchurch and Canterbury Marketing, said the Air NZ announcement was welcome news for South Island tourism operators. It would be particularly useful in attracting wealthy Americans who may only want to visit Queenstown, for example.
Behind yesterday's announcement of the new Christchurch-Los Angeles flights lies a pending re-structuring of Air NZ routes and services, made possible by the introduction of new aircraft.
Air NZ is expected to make a final decision within the next two weeks about the kind of new aircraft that will replace its fleet of Boeing 767 planes. These 767s fly to Japan, the Pacific Islands and on to the US.
With new planes having much better range, Air NZ is expecting to be able to fly non-stop to Shanghai.
The airline is choosing between two types of planes: the twin-engined Boeing 777 family, or the European-made Airbus A340 family, which have four engines.
Competition from new discount carriers could prevent Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Japan Airlines from fully countering higher jet-fuel costs, say analysts.
In Singapore, prices for jet fuel, which typically makes up 20 per cent of an airline's operating costs, have risen 15 per cent this year.
Oil futures reached US$41.85 ($67.32) a barrel in New York on May 17, the highest since 1983.
Some carriers have responded by imposing fuel surcharges. Jet fuel rose 2.7 per cent to US$45.25 a barrel in Singapore yesterday.
A rebound in global tourism and economic growth, led by China and the United States, has boosted air travel, contributing to soaring fuel demand that pushed oil prices to record highs this week.
The growth in air travel has encouraged the creation of discount carriers such as Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia which are forcing bigger rivals to cut some ticket prices.
"Airlines won't be able to cover the higher cost of fuel by raising prices," said Mark Tan, an investment analyst at UOB Asset Management in Singapore.
New Zealanders shopped until they dropped in Australia to the tune of $1.08 billion last year, according to government statistics released today.
A survey of returned travellers to the year ending June 30, 2003, showed New Zealanders spent $2.7 billion overseas, with 40 per cent of that forked out in Australia.
The next highest level of spending was in Britain at 12 per cent, followed by the United States at 9 per cent and Fiji came in fourth at 3 per cent.
The statistics showed New Zealanders' growing love of credit cards accounted for over 40 per cent of all overseas travel spending, a significant difference to a decade ago when only 25 per cent of expenditure was chalked up to credit.
Statistics New Zealand spokeswoman Geraldine Davies said only 17 per cent of travellers preferred to pay for their expenses in cash.
"Our spending habits have changed significantly. The survey showed only 3 per cent of travellers used travellers cheques -- 10 years ago 25 per cent of people preferred travellers cheques. Debit cards accounted for 9 per cent of spending transactions."
There were 1.1 million return trips made by New Zealanders in the surveyed period, Ms Davies said..
Four times as many New Zealanders went overseas for personal reasons compared to business-related travel, and the vacationers spent longer periods out of the country, although both groups ended up spending about the same amount of money.
Air New Zealand's fundamental credit principals and Government ownership has resulted in it securing an improved credit rating.
Air NZ today said rating agency Moody's had improved its issuer rating "two notches" to Ba2 with a stable outlook.
Moody's regarded Air NZ's recent restructuring into a profitable lower-cost model as credit positive.
Cash balances of about $1 billion were an important buffer for the airline against "outside negative shocks", which were unpredictable in nature and extent, Moody's said.
The rating was based on Air NZ's dominant position in the market, its profitable Japanese and US international business, a solid balance sheet and high liquidity, a well focused management team, and evidence of Government support.
These were balanced against the high level of trans-Tasman competition, concerns a low cost entrant could enter the domestic market, limited track record since its near-insolvency in 2001/02, and its sustainability as a long-haul operator without a Qantas alliance.
Air NZ has a dominant position in the New Zealand domestic market with a 78 per cent market share.
Traffic on the airline's short-haul and long-haul routes were up in April, as were flights to Australia and the Pacific Islands.
New Zealand’s largest travel group, Gullivers Pacific, and Asia Pacific’s leading online travel company, ZUJI, have joined forces in a strategic alliance.
The alliance will result in the development of an online travel web site for New Zealanders, to be branded ‘ZUJI’ and managed by Gullivers Pacific. The ZUJI site is envisaged to be the most comprehensive online travel offering in New Zealand. The ZUJI network has international access to 300 airlines, 33,000 hotels, 50 car hire companies and more than 3,000 activities and attractions.
ZUJI is backed by 15 Asia Pacific airlines and Travelocity – a leader in online travel. ZUJI is the only online travel agency with a pan-Asia Pacific footprint, and New Zealand will be ZUJI’s 6th country market.
Air New Zealand, facing 361 charges of misleading the public by not saying the true price of its cheap airfares, is trying to get the number of charges cut to 10.
It says the Commerce Commission is wasting taxpayers' money and it should select just a sample of charges.
In a landmark case that could be followed by charges against Qantas, Air New Zealand is accused of running misleading advertisements in daily newspapers, including the Herald, that did not include levies, charges and other fees in headline prices.
The use of such methods to advertise fares by airlines and travel agents has been contentious for some time. The Commerce Commission first launching its legal action last year.
Air New Zealand argued yesterday in the Auckland District Court that it was unfair for the commission, which monitors unfair and misleading advertising, to charge it with so many offences, when a smaller number of "representative" charges would do the same thing.
But commission lawyer Todd Simmonds said there were many charges simply because the alleged offending had been extensive.
Air NZ had "thumbed its nose" at the commission by continuing to run the advertisements after charges were first laid.
Air New Zealand looks to be well protected from soaring world oil prices, for the next few months at least.
The airline, which has started imposing a fuel surcharge on its tickets, released its quarterly "fuel hedging position", showing how much it is exposed to world prices.
For the quarter from July to September, Air New Zealand is 70 per cent hedged for its fuel, dropping to 55 per cent for the following three months.
Rival jet engine makers General Electric and Rolls-Royce are waiting to see whose engines Air New Zealand has chosen to power its fleet of new planes.
The Herald understands GE and Rolls-Royce have made the airline's final shortlist.
Both were expecting to hear soon and Air NZ chief executive Ralph Norris has indicated a decision is close.
Pratt and Whitney was also a contender to supply new engines but has since packed up and gone home.
Rolls-Royce and GE have both had teams at Air NZ working on the project, which could see the carrier buy at least 16 engines for a proposed new fleet of around eight new long-haul aircraft.
Air NZ has narrowed its choices down to the Boeing 777 range or the Airbus A340 family.
It became part of the Airbus family for the first time last year when it bought 15 A320 planes for use on the transtasman and Pacific routes.
Boeing 777s have two big engines each, while the A340s have four smaller ones. Airlines base their engine selection on the distances they want to fly, the number of takeoffs and landings needed and the usual parameters of efficiency and performance. This month's decision to buy new 300-seat planes will be significant for the future of Air NZ, which will increasingly be flying smaller planes greater distances.
These new planes, the first of which would likely be delivered towards the end of next year, would also form the basis of the eventual replacement of its Boeing 747-400 jumbo fleet.
Its most immediate need, though, is the replacement of its fleet of Boeing 767 planes, which it uses to fly to Asia and the Pacific.
Police and airport security can now target disorderly high-fliers with new laws to combat air-rage.
The Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2004, which comes into effect today, gives police and aviation security officers the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1000 for offences such as using a cellphone, ignoring seatbelt or seat instructions, ignoring pilot's orders or being drunk before or during a flight.
Police can now also arrest people for offences under the Summary Offences Act, such as fighting, disorderly behaviour, assault, wilful damage and indecent exposure, that occur on any flight landing in New Zealand.
Previously, police could only arrest or fine offenders if the incident happened within New Zealand airspace, and this was often hard to prove. People who would normally be arrested on land could get away with the same offences in the air.
New Zealanders holidaying in Fiji continue to set new records.
For April, the Fiji Government statistician reports an increase of Kiwi visitors of just over 50 percent.
New Zealanders visiting the Pacific Island nation were recorded at 7907, up from 5269 for April 2003.
Air New Zealand announced today that it is buying 10 new long-haul aircraft from Boeing.
The airline said it had signed agreements to buy eight new Boeing 777-200 ER and two Boeing 7E7 aircraft, as well as rights to buy a further 42 long-haul aircraft.
Given the size of the transaction -- more than $1.3 billion -- Air New Zealand needs shareholder approval under Stock Exchange and Companies Act requirements.
Trading in Air NZ shares was halted this morning pending its annoucement.
Air NZ said in a statement that the new Boeing aircraft would allow it to develop new routes and increase frequency on existing routes, as well as provide an overall increase in passenger and cargo capacity.
"Another benefit is that the new fleet will provide Air New Zealand with lower operating costs and improved financial performance over and above that which could be achieved by expanding the existing fleet of 10 Boeing 767s," it said.
Four of the new 300-plus seat Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft would be bought and the other four leased from International Lease Finance Corporation. The cost of the four aircraft and the necessary infrastructure to maintain the fleet of eight was more than $1 billion.
The first five aircraft were expected to be delivered by April 2006, with the other three introduced in the last half of 2006.
All the aircraft would be powered by Rolls Royce Trent 800 series engines.
The delivery date for the two 7E7 aircraft, capable of carrying about 230 passengers, was still to be determined, but it would coincide with the retirement from service of the remaining 767s.
The cost of these two aircraft and necessary infrastructure to support them was more than $350 million.
The 7E7s would be powered by the new Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engine. Air New Zealand is the first airline in the world to place an order for engines to power the new Boeing 7E7.
The Boeing 7E7 would use up to 20 per cent less fuel than other aircraft of its size. It would travel at speeds similar to today's fastest wide bodies and feature innovative technology that will give passengers great comfort, Air NZ said.
The 7E7 would also carry up to 50 per cent more cargo than today's similar size aircraft.
Air NZ said its decision to secure rights to purchase a further 42 aircraft reflected its belief in the potential to expand its passenger and cargo business into new long-haul destinations and increase traffic from existing core routes.
"The purchase rights will give us the ability to choose from a range of aircraft types that best suit our long-haul business as it develops in the future.
"The aircraft options will include the Boeing 777-200 ER, 777-200 LR, 7E7 and the 777-300 ER, which could replace our Boeing 747s in about a decade."
Air NZ's long-haul fleet comprises 10 Boeing 767s and eight Boeing 747s.
By early 2007 the fleet composition was expected to be eight 777-200ERs, seven 747s and five 767s, as leased aircraft were returned as contracts expired, the airline said.
"To put this into a passenger and cargo context, Air New Zealand's long-haul fleet currently consists of 5408 available seats and 268 tonnes available capacity across 18 aircraft.
"By early 2007, the fleet will consist of 6466 available seats and 291 tonnes available capacity across 20 aircraft.
Boeing will deliver its first 7E7 to Japan's All Nippon Airways in 2008, but Air NZ has lined up ahead of the rest of the world's airlines as its second "launch" customer.
This means a healthy although undisclosed discount, and a say over final design details.
The overall deal also includes rights for the carrier to order up to 42 more long-haul aircraft in the next 12 years at today's discounts on a buyer's market.
Air NZ is unlikely to receive its two 7E7s before 2010, by which time it will have made tough decisions about how to replace its eight 747 jumbos, possibly with 380-seat Boeing 777-300s.
But choosing the 7E7 noses the airline in the direction of more frequent trips to more destinations than would be offered by the 550-seater A380 "mega" jets of Boeing's arch-rival, Airbus Industrie.
Writers of cliches have endless scope when dealing with airlines - "air fare dogfights", "turbulence ahead", "clear skies ahead".
A suitable, though long-winded, one to describe Air New Zealand's new fleet announcement could be "Air NZ climbs well and truly into Boeing's cockpit".
Its decision to acquire eight new Boeing 777-200ER planes and two 7E7 aircraft, with options to buy 42 others, means it has accepted the Boeing theory of market fragmentation in commercial aviation.
Boeing sees an aviation world with fewer big planes lumbering between increasingly congested hub airports such as Los Angeles and Heathrow.
But it thinks airlines and travellers will want more "point-to-point" travel, flying in small, efficient long-range planes between smaller cities.
Air New Zealand sees the world changing towards one dominated by a small number of truly international carriers, with a second tier of regional airlines feeding into them.
Plans to reopen Oamaru's airport could take off soon if a recent survey of potential users is anything to go by.
The survey by the Waitaki Development Board found 90 per cent of respondents would use an air service either now or in the future.
Christchurch would be the main destination.
In her report to the Waitaki District Council's airport working party, board general manager Susan Houston said 600 surveys were sent out, and 165 people (28 per cent) responded.
The number of responses was very heartening and reflected the enormous enthusiasm within the community for reopening the airport.
The tourism market could also be captured and if the price was right, tourists may prefer to fly from destinations such as Christchurch rather than drive.
Auckland airport firefighters will seek information from Australia about dealing with dangers posed by the increasing use of carbon-fibre materials in aircraft.
Airservices Australia, responsible for emergency services at airports across the Tasman, is about to issue updated procedures for coping with any release of toxic broken fibres from crashes of futuristic new aircraft such as those ordered last week by Air New Zealand.
The agency says it does not believe composite materials, which make aircraft lighter but stronger than traditional metals and allow a more pressurised and moister interior atmosphere, are any more or less hazardous to survivors and rescue workers.
But it confirmed to the Herald that its updated procedures would rely heavily on the use of a film-forming foam to "drown" any fibres before they could pierce rescuers' lungs, and wax to seal the materials on the ground or wreckage surface.
Composite materials will account for about 10 per cent of the eight Boeing 777 aircraft Air NZ is buying or leasing in the next three years, and more than 50 per cent of two 7E7 "Dreamliners" to follow in about 2010. They already comprise more than 16 per cent of the Airbus A320, of which Air NZ already has seven.
American Airlines, Singapore Airlines and other carriers worldwide will lose as much as a combined US$3 billion ($4.7 billion) on international routes this year if crude oil prices average US$36 a barrel, the International Air Transport Association said yesterday.
The industry would break even if the price averages US$33 a barrel, Giovanni Bisignani, director general of the association representing more than 270 airlines worldwide, said in a speech to airline executives in Singapore.
The figure is a worldwide average of all markets calculated by the association, spokesman Anthony Concil said.
Airlines are trying to recover from US$30 billion of losses in the past three years, when terrorism, war and the Sars virus cut travel, forcing some carriers, including United Airlines' parent UAL Corp, to seek bankruptcy protection. Jet fuel prices, reached US$48.65 a barrel on May 17, the highest since 1990.
"This year was meant to be the first profitable year for our industry this century," Bisignani said. "The price of oil could add up to US$1 billion per month to our costs and deny us profitability yet again."
Former Air Force gunner Keith Coleman flew 78 combat missions to help liberate France.
On Sunday, French President Jacques Chirac personally returned the favour - liberating a very lost Mr Coleman from a remote airfield in Normandy via a presidential jet.
Mr Coleman, 86, left Matamata late last week to attend the D-Day commemorations in France. He travelled alone because ill health prevented his wife Clare from accompanying him.
But his return to Paris after the ceremonies at Arromanches went awry when he got on the wrong bus. He ended up at a remote airport where the rest of the veterans on the bus boarded a waiting plane.
Lost and unable to speak French, Mr Coleman approached "this important-looking guy wearing gold braid" inside the terminal.
"I guess he must have felt sorry for me, because he made a few phone calls and told me he thought he could get me back to Paris," Mr Coleman told the Guardian newspaper on Monday.
He was shown to a car and then driven to another airfield where two Gulfstream jets were waiting.
Mr Coleman was given a glass of "the best red wine I've ever tasted" before a vast cavalcade pulled up and President Chirac stepped out.
"He came over ... I snapped to attention and gave him a little salute ... he put his arm round me. He said he would be happy for me to travel in one of the aeroplanes and gave instructions that I was to be driven to the door of my hotel in Paris."
...
mad_atta
Jun 8, 04, 11:34 pm
Good old Jacques!
ntddevsys
Jun 9, 04, 2:39 am
Air New Zealand is remaining tight lipped over its future in global airline grouping Star Alliance.
Air New Zealand’s World Leading PeopleSoft Solution Honoured in Washington, D.C.
Airline finalist in global technology awards
Air New Zealand’s enterprise application software programme Connect, comprising PeopleSoft® Enterprise Financials, Procurement and Route Profitability solutions, recently received international recognition by becoming a finalist in the 2004 Global Computerworld Honors Awards. Air New Zealand’s Connect programme was the only New Zealand nominee to qualify as a finalist for the 2004 awards. All 56 finalists in 10 categories were honoured on June 7th, at a black-tie gala at Washington, D.C.
The panel of distinguished judges selected finalists on the basis of benefit to society, importance of information technology, originality, success and difficulty. Being nominated as a finalist is an endorsement of Air New Zealand as a leader of innovation in the airline industry, using technology to facilitate strategic change and decision-making
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello wants Pacific Island Governments to pull out of loss-making airlines to clear the way for a regional rationalisation.
But Costello warns that the Governments may need to pay commercial operators a subsidy to ensure flights are continued to lowly populated, far-flung areas.
Costello's comments came yesterday after he presented an interim report to Pacific Islands finance ministers on an Australian-funded transport study at their meeting in Rotorua.
www.stuff.co.nz - 1.3kg meteorite which exploded through the roof of an Auckland house yesterday (http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2939788a10,00.html)
In London, Melbourne, Sydney and Pakistan, the words "Fly Emirates" are in your face.
They are everywhere and now Emirates is bankrolling one of our most expensive sporting ventures, the challenge for the America's Cup.
Richard Vaughan, Emirates' senior vice-president of commercial operations for East Asia and Australasia, told the Herald that sponsorship - particularly of local sporting events - was an important part of Emirates' promotion in its new destinations.
The airline sponsors the Melbourne Cup, Collingwood Australian Rules Football team and Chelsea soccer team in England and has its name on the back of every international cricket umpire.
Sponsoring the Team New Zealand challenge for the America's Cup makes sense for the airline - it will provide media exposure in Europe and support for a team from one of its newest destinations.
It might seem strange for a Middle Eastern airline to sponsor a New Zealand team taking part in a sailing competition in Europe, but Air New Zealand is not the only airline that wants to fly European tourists to this part of the world.
Emirates wants to fly them to Australia, New Zealand, Asia and pretty much everywhere else.
Pacific Blue, the New Zealand wing of Australian cut-price airline Virgin Blue, plans to start flying to the Cook Islands.
The airline intends the route to be part of a service leaving Australia, then landing in Christchurch where it can pick up or drop off passengers before heading to the Cook Islands.
It will break a monopoly on the New Zealand-Cook Islands at present held by Air New Zealand.
Airline spokesman David Huttner said it hoped to offer cheaper tickets and services that did not arrive or depart in the middle of the night.
The United States House of Representatives has voted for a one-year postponement for visa-waiver countries, including New Zealand, to begin issuing passports with biometric data.
Citizens from 27 countries can enter the United States for up to 90 days without visas.
The one-year House measure, considered a compromise proposal, would still need to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president to stave off the October 26 deadline.
A commercial airport at Whenuapai has come a step closer, after being approved by an Auckland Regional Council study.
Waitakere City Council, in partnership with the investment company Infratil, is promoting the idea of a commercial airport at the base when the Air Force moves out by 2007.
It says it will be ideal for low-cost airlines and much easier for many Aucklanders to get to.
A confidential report just completed by regional officials says an airport is the only idea for the site that fits in with regional strategies.
The North Shore City Council last week decided to support an airport at Whenuapai, and Auckland City Mayor John Banks has also joined the bandwagon, expressing his personal endorsement in a letter to Finance Minister Michael Cullen.
The tourism industry is hailing latest visitor arrival numbers that show a 29 per cent jump from the year before, with 132,700 people coming here last month.
But enthusiasm about the increase has been tempered by the damaging effect of last year's Sars outbreak on Asian tourism.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said all key markets were performing well, and it was particularly good to see strong signs of recovery from the Japanese market, which had grown four months in a row.
Since the start of last year, Air New Zealand has doubled the number of email campaigns it sends out. It sees email marketing as a key to the success of its new low-cost business model.
The problem: When Air New Zealand morphed from a full-service airline to a budget domestic carrier in 2002, it realised that it needed to do more than cut costs to stay in the air.
...
ntddevsys
Jun 23, 04, 10:57 pm
Air New Zealand engineers face major job losses following the airline's decision to fit Rolls-Royce engines on its new fleet of international long-haul Boeings...
Air New Zealand has today announced it will commence flying five weekly Boeing 747-400 services from Melbourne to Los Angeles (via Auckland) from 31 October 2004.
The Boeing 747-400 services are a major win for Victoria, in effect opening 1,132 additional seats per week to connect into and out of the USA from Melbourne.
Air New Zealand currently operates a mixture of Airbus A320 and Boeing 767 aircraft between Melbourne and Auckland connecting with it's daily Boeing 747-400 services to LA.
With the US-bound Boeing 747-400 aircraft starting it's journey from Melbourne five times a week, passengers out of and into Melbourne will enjoy a simplified travel experience by travelling on the one aircraft-type with a short stopover in Auckland.
The addition of the 747-400 aircraft ex Melbourne will also increase cargo capacity on the Melbourne and Auckland, as well as seat capacity.
In particular First and Business Class passengers will also benefit from a significant increase in premium seats through to Los Angeles from Melbourne, on the Melbourne-Auckland sector.
Air New Zealand General Manager, Australia Michael Reed said the US-bound Boeing 747-400 ex Melbourne demonstrated the airline's confidence in Victoria as a growth market for its long-haul international services.
"The five originating 747-400 services to the States from Melbourne are a big win for Victoria and Air New Zealand from the perspective of wooing more Victorians and US travellers on the route with more through seats and convenience of travel," Mr Reed said.
"By making Melbourne an originating port for five our 747-400 service to the USA we're reaffirming our belief in Melbourne as a important and growing international gateway for our services into and out of Australia.
"Victorians and US visitors alike will also benefit from new 747 interiors we're on the verge of unveiling. The new interiors will include 'truly' lie flat beds for premium class passengers and in economy class a 'state of the art' inflight entertainment system and one of the roomiest seat pitches on the market."
To launch the originating Boeing 747-400 service, Air New Zealand is offering a special introductory economy airfare from Melbourne to Los Angeles starting at just $1,495 return inclusive of tax. The airfare will be on sale until 9 July for travel from 3 November to 8 December 2004.
A special Business Class airfares is also on sale for the same period starting at $7,940 return inclusive of tax. Terms and conditions apply. For bookings call 13 24 76, log on to www.airnewzealand.com.au or visit your local travel agent.
The Boeing 747-400 Melbourne-Los Angeles schedule effective from 31 October 2004 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays is:
NZ 124 Melbourne Auckland Dep 1200 Arr 1720
NZ 6 Auckland Los Angeles Dep 1930 Arr 1025
NZ 5 Los Angeles Auckland Dep 2145 Arr 0730
NZ 123 Auckland Melbourne Dep 0830 Arr 1020
ntddevsys
Jun 26, 04, 12:01 am
Air New Zealand will have made cost savings of about $50 million by the end of July, about a fifth of the total reductions it has targeted to reach by 2007.
Air New Zealand plans a $160 million upgrade of in-flight entertainment and seating on its planes that fly to Asia, Europe and the US. Details of the plans, including "lie flat" beds, will be announced next week, it said.
ntddevsys
Jun 27, 04, 6:07 pm
Air New Zealand is expected to unveil its new flat-bed business class seat today, as part of a $160 million refurbishment of its Boeing 747-400 fleet.
The fleet of eight 747s fly mainly to the west coast of the United States and Japan. It would take about a month to refit each plane at a cost of $20 million per aircraft, starting later this year.
Also mentions that the 7E7 ordered were 7E7-8
Kiwi Flyer
Jun 27, 04, 6:12 pm
ooh - cant wait
ntddevsys
Jun 28, 04, 3:44 pm
Air New Zealand will refit its long-haul aircraft with a premium class and introduce a super economy class for passengers willing to pay more for a bigger seat.
Each 747 would have 46 premium class seats, 23 super economy seats and 324 standard economy seats.
thesilb
Jun 28, 04, 6:25 pm
There was an article in yesterday's Travel section of the San Francisco Chronicle stating that ANZ is beginning thrice-weekly nonstop service using 747's from Los Angeles to Christchurch, effective August 1, 2004.
Kiwi Flyer
Jun 29, 04, 7:00 pm
According to Air NZ the CHC-LAX service starts 2 November 2004.
ntddevsys
Jun 30, 04, 1:09 am
Air New Zealand is to upgrade services between Cairns and New Zealand with the introduction of new A320s on the route later this year.
Giants with money to burn could circle the world almost 17 times on their backs in a refurbished Air New Zealand jumbo jet before running out of fresh in-flight movies.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=3575288&thesection=business&thesubsection=transport&thesecondsubsection=aviation
Improvements to the interiors of the Boeing 747s will include refurbished bathrooms and timer controlled taps, while a new menu will form part of an improved food and beverage service.
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/040628/15/3lbzq.html
Hamilton company Pacific Aerospace said today it had signed a joint venture deal to build aircraft worth $112 million in the next three years.
The deal with Canadian-based company Megachrome, of Montreal, will enable Pacific Aerospace to increase production of its recently launched PAC 750XL plane.
The versatile $1.56 million aircraft can be used as nine-seat passenger plane, as a freight servicing aircraft or in the adventure market.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has been asked by frustrated low-cost airline Pacific Blue to fast-track plans for a new commercial airport at Whenuapai.
The local wing of Virgin Blue has appealed to the Government to speed up the establishment of a new airport, saying Auckland International Airport was not offering it reasonable terms to start flying domestically.
...
ntddevsys
Jun 30, 04, 11:44 pm
Air New Zealand's inaugural San Francisco run arrives to a traditional welcome from fire trucks
It is expected that the service will eventually become daily. On board the first flight were Mr Norris, US Ambassador to New Zealand Charles Swindells and Auckland Mayor John Banks.
Air NZ is negotiating for additional landing slots to increase its daily service to London's Heathrow.
On arrival the flight will be officially greeted in San Francisco with a traditional water cannon salute and a Maori welcome ceremony performed by twelve of the airline's own staff.
The performers, known as Te Oho Rere (the awakening of journey) consists entirely of Air NZ international cabin crew, who have practised for weeks in preparation for this event, and a cocktail reception in City Hall later that evening.
The City Hall function, to be hosted by San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, will be attended by around 300 of the city’s who's who.
Air New Zealand plans to order only two 7E7s now, but that number will grow significantly, according to Ralph Norris, chief executive of Air New Zealand.
San Francisco Airport has lured Air NZ with half-price landing rights for a year long contract. In return, the airline has to generate additional business.
Air New Zealand may be the first airline to fly direct from New Zealand to San Francisco but its monopoly may not last long.
Air New Zealand has hit out at Pacific Blue's lobbying efforts over Whenuapai.
The Air New Zealand CEO says Pacific Blue just wants what he terms a "sweetheart deal".
He says the Australian carrier wants an unfair advantage in relation to the commercial rates Air New Zealand and other airlines face at Auckland Airport.
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,3762-3484533,00.html
ntddevsys
Jul 1, 04, 11:31 pm
First new international carrier in 4 years to land at airport.
Bookings out six months are running about 70 percent full on the aircraft that holds about 360 people, Gilmore said.
The long, drawn-out fight by Air New Zealand and Qantas to form an anti-competitive alliance goes into the next round at the High Court in Auckland today.
Qantas wants to buy up to 22.5 per cent of Air NZ for $550 million. The carriers wanted to then jointly control all their flights to, from and within New Zealand.