Air NZ in the news
Oct 6, 2006, 1:43 pm
#2011
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Chch Airport hits turbulence
Christchurch International Airport's bottom-line result sank 8.4 per cent as domestic and international passenger travel slowed and fuel prices hit record levels.
The Christchurch City and Government-owned airport's 2006 annual report issued yesterday showed an annual net profit of $15.16 million, down from $16.55 million in the previous June year....
The Christchurch City and Government-owned airport's 2006 annual report issued yesterday showed an annual net profit of $15.16 million, down from $16.55 million in the previous June year....
Oct 6, 2006, 6:56 pm
#2012
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
NZX ruling deprives airline's shareholders of vote
Air New Zealand shareholders will not get the chance to vote on a material financial component of the proposed code-share agreement with Qantas after an NZX ruling accepting that the two airlines are not related parties.
NZX Regulation (NZXR) yesterday released its decision on Air NZ's application for a waiver relating to the redemption of convertible notes held by Qantas....
NZX Regulation (NZXR) yesterday released its decision on Air NZ's application for a waiver relating to the redemption of convertible notes held by Qantas....
Oct 7, 2006, 3:33 pm
#2013
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Raid on Air NZ still a mystery
The raid by the Commerce Commission on Air New Zealand's corporate head office in Auckland has airline analysts and industry insiders bemused.
Neither organisation will give details, although Air NZ says it relates to a small part of the company's business "since before 2001", which suggests the matter could be ongoing....
Neither organisation will give details, although Air NZ says it relates to a small part of the company's business "since before 2001", which suggests the matter could be ongoing....
Oct 7, 2006, 3:34 pm
#2014
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Mixed response to levy proposed for Hamilton airport
Reactions to a proposed $5 domestic passenger levy at Hamilton International Airport have been mixed.
Air New Zealand says the levy is a "rip off" and might deter people from flying into the city. It says the charge is to fund what it calls grandiose and unnecessary development.
However, Hamilton City Councillor says there is widespread local support for the proposed levy. Ewan Wilson says the airport upgrade is long overdue, and believes the negative publicity is unfair....
Air New Zealand says the levy is a "rip off" and might deter people from flying into the city. It says the charge is to fund what it calls grandiose and unnecessary development.
However, Hamilton City Councillor says there is widespread local support for the proposed levy. Ewan Wilson says the airport upgrade is long overdue, and believes the negative publicity is unfair....
Oct 8, 2006, 8:41 pm
#2015
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Possible shake-up for air freight business
The air freight business could be in for a shake-up, with Freightways securing a Qantas contract held by failed regional airline Origin Pacific, and businessman Mike Pero working on his own proposal.
Freightways said it intended to expand its estimated half share of the $7 million domestic same-day air freight market after securing the Qantas contract....
Freightways said it intended to expand its estimated half share of the $7 million domestic same-day air freight market after securing the Qantas contract....
Oct 8, 2006, 8:42 pm
#2016
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
The Air New Zealand Certificate in Airline Customer Service
There is nothing better for an arriving tourist than to be greeted at an international airport by friendly and efficient staff.
So Air New Zealand has developed a course designed specifically to develop skills in airline customer service.
The 16-week qualification includes the National Certificate in Tourism & Travel - Core Skills, Level 3, as well as specific aviation industry unit standards....
So Air New Zealand has developed a course designed specifically to develop skills in airline customer service.
The 16-week qualification includes the National Certificate in Tourism & Travel - Core Skills, Level 3, as well as specific aviation industry unit standards....
Oct 8, 2006, 10:00 pm
#2017
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Programs: Etihad Guest
Posts: 1,549
As a rule, I don't post on this thread, because it is just here to relay news.
But I am appalled to see that the Hamilton aircraft levy is supported by "councillor Ewan Wilson". I hope he's not who I think he is....
Remember Ewan Wilson? He created Kiwi International Airlines, which failed to pay its bills and left passengers stranded. According to Wikipedia...
Ewan Wilson served as CEO and was later convicted on five counts of fraud. The Securities Commission went further and banned Wilson from ever holding a Directorship or Senior Management position stating that Wilsons actions as CEO of Kiwi Air were both ethically void and morally reprobate.
So anyone reading the news article, and thinking that Ewan Wilson is in some way someone whose opinion about aviation carries any weight, please put that information in its historical context.
But I am appalled to see that the Hamilton aircraft levy is supported by "councillor Ewan Wilson". I hope he's not who I think he is....
Remember Ewan Wilson? He created Kiwi International Airlines, which failed to pay its bills and left passengers stranded. According to Wikipedia...
Ewan Wilson served as CEO and was later convicted on five counts of fraud. The Securities Commission went further and banned Wilson from ever holding a Directorship or Senior Management position stating that Wilsons actions as CEO of Kiwi Air were both ethically void and morally reprobate.
So anyone reading the news article, and thinking that Ewan Wilson is in some way someone whose opinion about aviation carries any weight, please put that information in its historical context.
Oct 11, 2006, 2:38 pm
#2018
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,671
Air NZ to outsource Airpoirt Services?
I know about this one.
NZ Herald
Restrictive work practices maybe....I went for an airport managers job last year, during interview they were more interested in my previous outsourcing work than productivity improvement. I told them in the interview that I was not interested in the role because it was not what they advertised.
Flatmate works for ANZ. Meeting referred to in the article had ANZ management stating they needed a 20% paycut and relaxing the O/T requirements.
ANZ had no success in its RFT for outsourcing airport services as it was not viable for most companies.
As ANZ handles most airlines' ground requirements I can only forsee problems to most NZ passengers to come.
NZ Herald
Restrictive work practices maybe....I went for an airport managers job last year, during interview they were more interested in my previous outsourcing work than productivity improvement. I told them in the interview that I was not interested in the role because it was not what they advertised.
Flatmate works for ANZ. Meeting referred to in the article had ANZ management stating they needed a 20% paycut and relaxing the O/T requirements.
ANZ had no success in its RFT for outsourcing airport services as it was not viable for most companies.As ANZ handles most airlines' ground requirements I can only forsee problems to most NZ passengers to come.
Oct 11, 2006, 2:51 pm
#2019
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
What did they expect when so many of the check-in staff provide such piss-poor service ?
A shame though - the board will be uneasy.
A shame though - the board will be uneasy.
Oct 11, 2006, 3:09 pm
#2020
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Press Release - Airport Services Update
Air New Zealand has been advised by unions that they want to enter a 58 day consultation process over the future direction of its Airport Services division.
Airport Services is the part of Air New Zealand that manages processes ranging from check-in to tarmac operations and loading luggage for Air New Zealand and many other airlines in New Zealand.
It employs 1675 full and part-time staff based at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.
Group General Manager People Vanessa Stoddart says the Airport Services business is currently facing severe challenges.
We have been working with staff representatives for many months to explore ways of improving the competitiveness of Airport Services and to reduce the loss of third party work as other airlines operating in New Zealand move to other suppliers. To date the speed of progress made has not been sufficient, says Ms Stoddart.
In the past two weeks, our second largest airline customer here in New Zealand has terminated their contract, because they perceive that Air New Zealand can no longer provide a competitive service. The loss of that contract could jeopardise approximately 160 Airport Services jobs.
On Thursday last week the airline met with union leaders to outline the scale and urgency of the problem.
The meeting was an opportunity to impress on them that if we cant rapidly address the uncompetitive issues in our business, Airport Services will continue to lose customers and scale, and will struggle to remain viable.
A key issue for Airport Services remains its current lack of flexibility to meet customer needs due to restrictive work practices, Ms Stoddart says.
The union leaders were offered the opportunity to assist Air New Zealand in finding an urgent solution to the problem.
Their response has been to advise the airline today that the company should commence a formal 58 day consultation process in order to resolve the future direction of Airport Services.
We will now reflect on the unions perspective and expect to advise staff of next steps by the end of the week, said Ms Stoddart.
Nevertheless, in the event that we cant develop a market competitive in-house solution, which is our strong preference, Air New Zealand will be forced to look to a third party airport services provider to deliver this service, just as all other airlines flying into and out of New Zealand do.
If Air New Zealand proceeds with an outsource of Airport Services, it would expect the new provider to employ most of the existing staff with more flexible terms and conditions.
Airport Services is the part of Air New Zealand that manages processes ranging from check-in to tarmac operations and loading luggage for Air New Zealand and many other airlines in New Zealand.
It employs 1675 full and part-time staff based at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.
Group General Manager People Vanessa Stoddart says the Airport Services business is currently facing severe challenges.
We have been working with staff representatives for many months to explore ways of improving the competitiveness of Airport Services and to reduce the loss of third party work as other airlines operating in New Zealand move to other suppliers. To date the speed of progress made has not been sufficient, says Ms Stoddart.
In the past two weeks, our second largest airline customer here in New Zealand has terminated their contract, because they perceive that Air New Zealand can no longer provide a competitive service. The loss of that contract could jeopardise approximately 160 Airport Services jobs.
On Thursday last week the airline met with union leaders to outline the scale and urgency of the problem.
The meeting was an opportunity to impress on them that if we cant rapidly address the uncompetitive issues in our business, Airport Services will continue to lose customers and scale, and will struggle to remain viable.
A key issue for Airport Services remains its current lack of flexibility to meet customer needs due to restrictive work practices, Ms Stoddart says.
The union leaders were offered the opportunity to assist Air New Zealand in finding an urgent solution to the problem.
Their response has been to advise the airline today that the company should commence a formal 58 day consultation process in order to resolve the future direction of Airport Services.
We will now reflect on the unions perspective and expect to advise staff of next steps by the end of the week, said Ms Stoddart.
Nevertheless, in the event that we cant develop a market competitive in-house solution, which is our strong preference, Air New Zealand will be forced to look to a third party airport services provider to deliver this service, just as all other airlines flying into and out of New Zealand do.
If Air New Zealand proceeds with an outsource of Airport Services, it would expect the new provider to employ most of the existing staff with more flexible terms and conditions.
Oct 11, 2006, 6:28 pm
#2021
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,011
Who is this "second largest airline customer" everyone keeps talking about. It is really poor journalism that no media outlet has cared enough to actually find out who it is.
Qantas?
Qantas?
Oct 11, 2006, 9:45 pm
#2022
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
Qantas joins Air NZ among the guilty
Qantas has pleaded guilty to 122 charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act and been ordered to pay NZ$380,000 ($251,000) in fines and $15,860 in costs in the Auckland District Court.
Qantas is the second major airline to plead guilty to misleading the public in its advertisements. Air New Zealand was fined $600,000 for similar behaviour in June.
The Commerce Commission prosecuted Qantas after customers complained that they had to pay more than the advertised price for airfares because of extra surcharges and levies
Qantas is the second major airline to plead guilty to misleading the public in its advertisements. Air New Zealand was fined $600,000 for similar behaviour in June.
The Commerce Commission prosecuted Qantas after customers complained that they had to pay more than the advertised price for airfares because of extra surcharges and levies
Oct 11, 2006, 10:47 pm
#2023
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Press Release - Travel Agent Urges Airlines To Improve Economy Seating
New Zealands largest travel retailer is calling for airlines to improve the comfort of their economy class seating, particularly for long distance travel.
Flight Centre is urging airlines to follow the lead of Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand in developing alternatives and more comfortable products for travel to Asia, the US, Europe and the UK, for New Zealand travellers.
Hong Kong based airline Cathay Pacific is planning to introduce fixed back seats in economy class, similar to a mini business class seat, creating greater legroom and preventing seats reclining back into peoples space as the seats slide within the fixed shell. It will be the first carrier flying out of New Zealand to offer fixed back seats in economy.
In a similar move, Singapore Airlines has also researched customer attitudes towards economy seating, and has announced it will be rolling out ergonomically designed seats with smart features from later this year.
Flight Centre general manager Rick Hamilton said while most airlines were continually upgrading their business class seat offering, economy hadnt kept pace with these changes.
One of the biggest difficulties our clients face is the uncomfortable nature of long haul travel. Wed like to see all the airlines flying long haul from New Zealand examining their seating configuration very carefully.
Flight Centre said Air New Zealands premium economy product was also a popular improvement, with many of its clients now taking advantage of larger seat pitch and increased service levels on the trips to Europe.
Business Class fares are often 150 percent higher than Economy, so a middle ground that offers great leg room was always something that filled a very significant niche.
So far Mr Hamilton said the agency was aware of no other airlines that had announced an economy class upgrade.
But often all it takes is a perceived competitive advantage by one or two carriers to create better service.
The new Cathay Pacific economy seat structure has been designed to maximise knee and shin clearance, including putting the magazine pocket under the seat and removing awkward fixtures.
Mr Hamilton said the most desirable outcome would be travellers eventually enjoying their flights, no matter what class and how long the flight.
We have the longest to fly of almost any nation in terms of accessibility to destinations, and with the UK and Europe booking season about to start, this is particularly relevant.
"We believe the next area of airline competition should be comfort.
Flight Centre is urging airlines to follow the lead of Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand in developing alternatives and more comfortable products for travel to Asia, the US, Europe and the UK, for New Zealand travellers.
Hong Kong based airline Cathay Pacific is planning to introduce fixed back seats in economy class, similar to a mini business class seat, creating greater legroom and preventing seats reclining back into peoples space as the seats slide within the fixed shell. It will be the first carrier flying out of New Zealand to offer fixed back seats in economy.
In a similar move, Singapore Airlines has also researched customer attitudes towards economy seating, and has announced it will be rolling out ergonomically designed seats with smart features from later this year.
Flight Centre general manager Rick Hamilton said while most airlines were continually upgrading their business class seat offering, economy hadnt kept pace with these changes.
One of the biggest difficulties our clients face is the uncomfortable nature of long haul travel. Wed like to see all the airlines flying long haul from New Zealand examining their seating configuration very carefully.
Flight Centre said Air New Zealands premium economy product was also a popular improvement, with many of its clients now taking advantage of larger seat pitch and increased service levels on the trips to Europe.
Business Class fares are often 150 percent higher than Economy, so a middle ground that offers great leg room was always something that filled a very significant niche.
So far Mr Hamilton said the agency was aware of no other airlines that had announced an economy class upgrade.
But often all it takes is a perceived competitive advantage by one or two carriers to create better service.
The new Cathay Pacific economy seat structure has been designed to maximise knee and shin clearance, including putting the magazine pocket under the seat and removing awkward fixtures.
Mr Hamilton said the most desirable outcome would be travellers eventually enjoying their flights, no matter what class and how long the flight.
We have the longest to fly of almost any nation in terms of accessibility to destinations, and with the UK and Europe booking season about to start, this is particularly relevant.
"We believe the next area of airline competition should be comfort.
Oct 11, 2006, 10:50 pm
#2024
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Air NZ moots contact centre closure
Air New Zealand is considering closing its contact centre in Christchurch next March, citing declining demand. The centre employs 86 staff; some may have the option to relocate. A decision is expected next month.
Oct 12, 2006, 10:16 pm
#2025
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,985
Press Release - Airport Services Update
Air New Zealand today advised unions representing Airport Services staff that it will enter into a formal 58-day consultation process on the future direction of the division effective immediately.
Group General Manager People Vanessa Stoddart says that as part of the process Air New Zealand will be sharing with the unions the detail of improvements a third party supplier believes it could achieve if a decision was made to outsource the work.
Our strong preference is to work with staff and their union representatives to develop a market competitive in-house solution. However, if we cant do that Air New Zealand will be forced to look to a third party airport services provider to deliver this service, just as all other airlines flying into and out of New Zealand do, says Ms Stoddart.
Approximately 45% of the revenue in Airport Services comes from third party airline customers.
These customers are telling us we are no longer competitive. We lost the Singapore airlines business last year, we lost the Jetstar business earlier this year and Qantas domestic terminated their contract with us a few weeks ago on the basis that they perceive we are no longer competitive. The loss of that contract could jeopardise approximately 160 Airport Services jobs, she says.
Ms Stoddart says developing an in-house solution to make parts of Air New Zealand more competitive is not something new to the airline or unions. Earlier this year Air New Zealand accepted a union proposal that averted the outsourcing of a significant amount of work in its engineering business.
Airport Services is the part of Air New Zealand that manages processes ranging from check-in to loading luggage for Air New Zealand and many other airlines in New Zealand. It employs 1675 full and part-time staff based at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.
Note: Air New Zealand currently outsources its ground handling operations at nearly all overseas airports and at some provincial New Zealand airports.
Group General Manager People Vanessa Stoddart says that as part of the process Air New Zealand will be sharing with the unions the detail of improvements a third party supplier believes it could achieve if a decision was made to outsource the work.
Our strong preference is to work with staff and their union representatives to develop a market competitive in-house solution. However, if we cant do that Air New Zealand will be forced to look to a third party airport services provider to deliver this service, just as all other airlines flying into and out of New Zealand do, says Ms Stoddart.
Approximately 45% of the revenue in Airport Services comes from third party airline customers.
These customers are telling us we are no longer competitive. We lost the Singapore airlines business last year, we lost the Jetstar business earlier this year and Qantas domestic terminated their contract with us a few weeks ago on the basis that they perceive we are no longer competitive. The loss of that contract could jeopardise approximately 160 Airport Services jobs, she says.
Ms Stoddart says developing an in-house solution to make parts of Air New Zealand more competitive is not something new to the airline or unions. Earlier this year Air New Zealand accepted a union proposal that averted the outsourcing of a significant amount of work in its engineering business.
Airport Services is the part of Air New Zealand that manages processes ranging from check-in to loading luggage for Air New Zealand and many other airlines in New Zealand. It employs 1675 full and part-time staff based at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports.
Note: Air New Zealand currently outsources its ground handling operations at nearly all overseas airports and at some provincial New Zealand airports.