Auckland to Norfolk Island direct flights to cease next year.
Dec 19, 2016, 12:55 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
Maybe Air NZ could put in a low ball offer to Virgin for their ERJ's they're dumping!
Dec 19, 2016, 12:23 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Also thinking what is the distance to Norfolk, in regards to plane requirements? Will those planes need to be fitted with HF and rafts? As the domestic A320s (and assume turbo props) don't have HF radios nor rafts (they just have slides that aren't good for extended raft usage) to save weight. Would planes going to Norfolk require HF and rafts? As that would make the planes heavier and more expensive to run on the domestic runs when this isn't required.
The new domestic A320s cross the Tasman in convey with a Intl A320 so they can use the Intl A320 to relay HF calls to Oceanic control for them.
The new domestic A320s cross the Tasman in convey with a Intl A320 so they can use the Intl A320 to relay HF calls to Oceanic control for them.
Dec 19, 2016, 3:47 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
One of the things I love about NZs fleet is it's young.
I don't mind the props. Fast bag is great.
Didn't Qantas pull out of Norfolk some time ago? I think a local said something about it. Never a good sign for the remaining airline so it seems it was inevitable on this route NZ would pull out. Hope the route out of Oz lasts for the islanders sake.
Last edited by NZbutterfly; Dec 19, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Dec 19, 2016, 4:00 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand airpoints since 1992, currently *Silver, Koru Club
Posts: 581
The NZ planes flying to Norfolk had life rafts on seats near the front - row 4 from memory.
Various airlines have flown there from Australia over the years, including Air Nauru. The cost of maintaining those flights just about bankrupted Norfolk Island - I think the Australian Government spent about $12m paying off the debts.
NZ is currently being subsidised by the Australian government to fly there from Sydney and Brisbane, but I understand they are being pretty well patronised.
Various airlines have flown there from Australia over the years, including Air Nauru. The cost of maintaining those flights just about bankrupted Norfolk Island - I think the Australian Government spent about $12m paying off the debts.
NZ is currently being subsidised by the Australian government to fly there from Sydney and Brisbane, but I understand they are being pretty well patronised.
Dec 19, 2016, 4:36 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Virgin has the flights to Xmas Island under a similar arrangement from Perth and there are other smaller runs in Queensland.
These are routes where there aren't enough people to make it commercially viable but for the public good require an air service, so the govt gives money and exclusive access to the route. In Queensland there is also bus routes under a similar arrangement.
Dec 20, 2016, 1:41 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 778
It really does show up what many perceive as an issue with Air NZ's fleet. You have 50 seats, 68 seats and then nothing all the way up to 171 seats.
There would be many routes where something around the 100 - 120 seat number would be perfect, but when you have a fleet of ATR's that are a plane built by accountants for accountantss and run on the smell of an oily rag there is no hope of that ever happening.
There would be many routes where something around the 100 - 120 seat number would be perfect, but when you have a fleet of ATR's that are a plane built by accountants for accountantss and run on the smell of an oily rag there is no hope of that ever happening.
Disappointing news all around for the residents. I, however, didn't even know this was a route till now.
Dec 30, 2016, 6:20 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
http://www.norfolkislandairlines.com.au/
Looks like Norflok Island is trying to get back into the Passenger Business again! how many weeks will this airline last?
Starting an weekly service from May 17 running BNE-NLK-AKL-NLK-BNE operated by Nauru Airlines.
Most ironic part is 3/4 of Nauru Airlines passenger 733 are ex-NZ.
Looks like Norflok Island is trying to get back into the Passenger Business again! how many weeks will this airline last?
Starting an weekly service from May 17 running BNE-NLK-AKL-NLK-BNE operated by Nauru Airlines.
Most ironic part is 3/4 of Nauru Airlines passenger 733 are ex-NZ.
Dec 30, 2016, 6:36 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Some airport fuel suppliers will not give credit to some airlines: cash only to fill the tanks
Dec 30, 2016, 6:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
Dec 31, 2016, 1:34 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand airpoints since 1992, currently *Silver, Koru Club
Posts: 581
Oh dear, it was trying to operate its own airline that sent the island into virtual bankruptcy. Norfolk Air, Air Nauru and the rest.
There are still some on the island that think the clock can be turned back. I can't see the new administration subsidising this new venture, particularly the Brisbane part which NZ is operating happily.
I wonder if Ewan Wilson will try to get involved yet again.
There are still some on the island that think the clock can be turned back. I can't see the new administration subsidising this new venture, particularly the Brisbane part which NZ is operating happily.
I wonder if Ewan Wilson will try to get involved yet again.
Dec 31, 2016, 11:03 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 778
What's the big deal with the island pushing this so hard? From what I've heard historically, the island subsidising this will cost them a ton and probably not be worth the effort. I never even knew it was a destination till I saw this thread. Shows how well it was advertised. More-so, it's still available via. SYD connections from what I can see anyway.