Air NZ in the news
Jun 27, 2007, 1:24 pm
#2596
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,425
AKL complaint dismissed
NZ Herald
NZ Herald
A complaint to the Commerce Commission against the Auckland International Airport for funding an anti-Whenuapai group has been dismissed.
The complaint of unfair competitive behaviour was made by the North West Auckland Airport group - a company set up to promote a commercial airport at Whenuapai.
North West Auckland Airport is made up of Wellington Airport owner Infratil, Waitakere City, North Shore City and the Rodney District councils.
...
The complaint of unfair competitive behaviour was made by the North West Auckland Airport group - a company set up to promote a commercial airport at Whenuapai.
North West Auckland Airport is made up of Wellington Airport owner Infratil, Waitakere City, North Shore City and the Rodney District councils.
...
Jun 27, 2007, 6:40 pm
#2597
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Air NZ takes hit as Qantas sells its stake
The sale by Qantas of its stake in Air New Zealand hit the stock hard yesterday as a wider fall in the market scared off buyers.
Overnight on Tuesday Qantas sold its 4.2 per cent stake - a legacy of plans for a code share arrangement in 2002. Broker Goldman Sachs JBWere placed the shares with a number of local and international institutions at $2.70 - 20c lower than Tuesday's close of $2.90....
Overnight on Tuesday Qantas sold its 4.2 per cent stake - a legacy of plans for a code share arrangement in 2002. Broker Goldman Sachs JBWere placed the shares with a number of local and international institutions at $2.70 - 20c lower than Tuesday's close of $2.90....
Jun 30, 2007, 10:00 pm
#2598
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Air NZ has a new friend
Qantas cashed in its Air New Zealand chips on Tuesday, ending the five year association that dreamt of trans-Tasman co-operation.
Air NZ has come a long way since the merger was proposed in late 2002, but shareholders are only just turning the corner.
When Qantas bought its convertible notes in December that year it paid $98.2 million for the equivalent of 4.99 per cent of Air NZ. When it sold last week, the 4.99 per cent stake had been diluted to 4.2 per cent and was worth $119.2m. The modest size of the gain - 5 per cent a year - shows how low Air NZ fell before it began to climb out of its tailspin a year ago.
Today, however, Air NZ is well placed to take advantage of relatively benign conditions in air travel. Its fleet now features eight Boeing 777s with an average age of less than two years and 12 Airbus A320s averaging less than three years old. There are 15 Bombardier Q300s - 50-seat turboprop aircraft - averaging just one year old....
Air NZ has come a long way since the merger was proposed in late 2002, but shareholders are only just turning the corner.
When Qantas bought its convertible notes in December that year it paid $98.2 million for the equivalent of 4.99 per cent of Air NZ. When it sold last week, the 4.99 per cent stake had been diluted to 4.2 per cent and was worth $119.2m. The modest size of the gain - 5 per cent a year - shows how low Air NZ fell before it began to climb out of its tailspin a year ago.
Today, however, Air NZ is well placed to take advantage of relatively benign conditions in air travel. Its fleet now features eight Boeing 777s with an average age of less than two years and 12 Airbus A320s averaging less than three years old. There are 15 Bombardier Q300s - 50-seat turboprop aircraft - averaging just one year old....
Jun 30, 2007, 10:02 pm
#2599
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Council rejects Air NZ bid to block fee hike
Efforts by Air New Zealand to block an increase in Gisborne airport landing fee charges, with claims that Eastland Infrastructure did not consult with it properly, were tossed out by the District Council on Thursday.
Air New Zealand strategy manager Eric Morgan, accompanied by Air NZ legal adviser James Ratcliffe, told the council on Thursday it together with Eastland Infrastructure Ltd had "botched" the landing fee review process....
Air New Zealand strategy manager Eric Morgan, accompanied by Air NZ legal adviser James Ratcliffe, told the council on Thursday it together with Eastland Infrastructure Ltd had "botched" the landing fee review process....
Jul 1, 2007, 5:17 pm
#2600
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,425
Airport bomb scare disrupts 17 flights
NZ Herald
Wow - glad I wasn't flying through TRG yesterday.
NZ Herald
A package mistakenly left at Tauranga Airport led to the terminal being closed for six hours yesterday, disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of passengers.
Seventeen flights were cancelled as a result of the scare, which ended about 6pm when a Navy bomb squad detonated the cardboard package and determined it was not suspicious.
...
Seventeen flights were cancelled as a result of the scare, which ended about 6pm when a Navy bomb squad detonated the cardboard package and determined it was not suspicious.
...
Jul 1, 2007, 5:21 pm
#2601
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Airport bomb scare disrupts 17 flights
Seems I have been beaten yet again!
Last edited by everywhere; Jul 1, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Jul 1, 2007, 5:23 pm
#2602
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Angry Air NZ says the public will wear costs
GISBORNE travellers will be paying for the District Councils decision to increase airport landing fees, an Air New Zealand spokesman warns.
"If these fees get promulgated, travel costs will be higher than other parts of New Zealand because of the costs of operating out of Gisborne," said Air NZ and Link spokesman John Hambleton, general manager of Air Nelson.
The increased landing fees would be the final straw to the extra costs already being carried by Air New Zealand for Link flights here, he said.
Gisborne faced particular problems arising from its location, resulting in higher fuel prices and air traffic control costs that were $385,000 a year more than Napier....
"If these fees get promulgated, travel costs will be higher than other parts of New Zealand because of the costs of operating out of Gisborne," said Air NZ and Link spokesman John Hambleton, general manager of Air Nelson.
The increased landing fees would be the final straw to the extra costs already being carried by Air New Zealand for Link flights here, he said.
Gisborne faced particular problems arising from its location, resulting in higher fuel prices and air traffic control costs that were $385,000 a year more than Napier....
Jul 1, 2007, 10:28 pm
#2603
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Emergency landing uneventful: passengers
The flight which sparked an emergency alert at Hamilton International Airport on Thursday had an uneventful landing, according to passengers.
Fifteen minutes before Air New Zealand flight NZ5020 from Wellington was scheduled to arrive in Hamilton at 4.35pm, the pilot advised the 58 passengers on the ATR700 aircraft they had encountered technical problems.
"The pilot explained he would need to approach the runway faster and flatter but that the brakes would easily stop the plane and the runway was long enough," said passenger Richard Hoskins.
"We went a lot further north than is usual, but the landing was uneventful.
"Most passengers passed wry comments to one another, disembarkation took a little longer than usual and we were handed a form letter apologising for the delays."...
Fifteen minutes before Air New Zealand flight NZ5020 from Wellington was scheduled to arrive in Hamilton at 4.35pm, the pilot advised the 58 passengers on the ATR700 aircraft they had encountered technical problems.
"The pilot explained he would need to approach the runway faster and flatter but that the brakes would easily stop the plane and the runway was long enough," said passenger Richard Hoskins.
"We went a lot further north than is usual, but the landing was uneventful.
"Most passengers passed wry comments to one another, disembarkation took a little longer than usual and we were handed a form letter apologising for the delays."...
Jul 1, 2007, 10:36 pm
#2604
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Press Release - Air New Zealand rejects unjustified airport price hike
Today’s announcement that landing charges at Auckland International Airport will increase by more than 13% over the next five years again exposes the failings of having no effective regulatory regime to protect the interests of travellers from monopoly abuse, Air New Zealand said today.
“There is absolutely no justification for increasing charges at the airport,” Air New Zealand CFO Rob McDonald said today.
“Not only are airlines facing increased landing charges, but from 1 July 2008 there will be further increases in the Airport Development Charge. This has now been renamed the Passenger Service Charge, recognising that none of these charges have been separately applied to the development of airport facilities.
“This comes on top of the 25% increase effectively borne by departing international travellers from October 2005, when the airlines assumed direct responsibility from AIAL for paying aviation security charges, without an associated $5 reduction in the departure charge. In less than five years’ time the price will have increased by 40%.
“While AIAL is disguising the size of the increases, this ignores the fact that continued volume growth at the airport supports the case for a reduction in charges per passenger,” Mr McDonald said.
AIAL had not reached agreement with Air New Zealand over the level of the new charges, which were simply being imposed on the airline by the airport exercising its statutory powers.
The airport’s suggestion that it had made “significant concessions” did not wash with Air New Zealand, Mr McDonald said.
“An aggressive approach to asset valuation and the treatment of revaluations has been used by AIAL to create the impression that aeronautical price increases are justified.
“We are still miles apart. AIAL has moved from an untenable position to an unreasonable position and called the movement a ‘significant concession.’”
Mr McDonald said AIAL had continued to ignore the Commerce Commission’s recommendations regarding the treatment of non-land valuations, and only partially adopted those regarding land valuations.
“Air New Zealand has no issue paying landing charges that reflect investment actually made in facilities and infrastructure at the airport, but objects to paying charges based on asset values for which no outlay had been made and for which no commercial or regulatory risk is involved on the part of AIAL.”
The 10-year moratorium on asset revaluation announced by the airport is in reality only a five-year moratorium and falls well short of addressing the fundamental issue, he said.
“The so-called moratorium is cold comfort given the aggressive approach to asset revaluation already reflected in current prices. In our view it is a cynical attempt to divert attention from the MED’s current review of Parts 4 and 5 of the Commerce Act.”
While Air New Zealand acknowledged the importance of continued investment in airport infrastructure, Mr McDonald said it did not believe that an increase in airport charges was required to achieve this.
“What is needed is an effective regulatory environment with clearly defined pricing principles that produce efficient prices and timely investment, with the ability of a third party to intervene if these principles are flagrantly disregarded.”
Mr McDonald said Air New Zealand was reviewing its options in light of today’s decision.
“There is absolutely no justification for increasing charges at the airport,” Air New Zealand CFO Rob McDonald said today.
“Not only are airlines facing increased landing charges, but from 1 July 2008 there will be further increases in the Airport Development Charge. This has now been renamed the Passenger Service Charge, recognising that none of these charges have been separately applied to the development of airport facilities.
“This comes on top of the 25% increase effectively borne by departing international travellers from October 2005, when the airlines assumed direct responsibility from AIAL for paying aviation security charges, without an associated $5 reduction in the departure charge. In less than five years’ time the price will have increased by 40%.
“While AIAL is disguising the size of the increases, this ignores the fact that continued volume growth at the airport supports the case for a reduction in charges per passenger,” Mr McDonald said.
AIAL had not reached agreement with Air New Zealand over the level of the new charges, which were simply being imposed on the airline by the airport exercising its statutory powers.
The airport’s suggestion that it had made “significant concessions” did not wash with Air New Zealand, Mr McDonald said.
“An aggressive approach to asset valuation and the treatment of revaluations has been used by AIAL to create the impression that aeronautical price increases are justified.
“We are still miles apart. AIAL has moved from an untenable position to an unreasonable position and called the movement a ‘significant concession.’”
Mr McDonald said AIAL had continued to ignore the Commerce Commission’s recommendations regarding the treatment of non-land valuations, and only partially adopted those regarding land valuations.
“Air New Zealand has no issue paying landing charges that reflect investment actually made in facilities and infrastructure at the airport, but objects to paying charges based on asset values for which no outlay had been made and for which no commercial or regulatory risk is involved on the part of AIAL.”
The 10-year moratorium on asset revaluation announced by the airport is in reality only a five-year moratorium and falls well short of addressing the fundamental issue, he said.
“The so-called moratorium is cold comfort given the aggressive approach to asset revaluation already reflected in current prices. In our view it is a cynical attempt to divert attention from the MED’s current review of Parts 4 and 5 of the Commerce Act.”
While Air New Zealand acknowledged the importance of continued investment in airport infrastructure, Mr McDonald said it did not believe that an increase in airport charges was required to achieve this.
“What is needed is an effective regulatory environment with clearly defined pricing principles that produce efficient prices and timely investment, with the ability of a third party to intervene if these principles are flagrantly disregarded.”
Mr McDonald said Air New Zealand was reviewing its options in light of today’s decision.
I think someone needs to go back to press release writing school (ie journalism)
Jul 2, 2007, 5:45 pm
#2605
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Rumours of new domestic airline
Speculation is bubbling that an airline such as Pacific Blue or Jetstar will shortly begin a domestic New Zealand service.
This comes despite talk being hosed down by the airlines.
Pacific Blue has been ordering aircraft that would be suitable on New Zealand provincial routes, and chatter is that it is busy training hostesses to staff new flight schedules.
The entry of another domestic airline could be well-timed, particularly as one of the existing airlines JetConnect, which uses the Qantas brand in New Zealand had been less aggressive of late, an industry source said. JetConnect had about 15 to 20 per cent of the domestic market and the rumours were it had recently been hamstrung in its fight against rival and dominant player Air New Zealand.....
This comes despite talk being hosed down by the airlines.
Pacific Blue has been ordering aircraft that would be suitable on New Zealand provincial routes, and chatter is that it is busy training hostesses to staff new flight schedules.
The entry of another domestic airline could be well-timed, particularly as one of the existing airlines JetConnect, which uses the Qantas brand in New Zealand had been less aggressive of late, an industry source said. JetConnect had about 15 to 20 per cent of the domestic market and the rumours were it had recently been hamstrung in its fight against rival and dominant player Air New Zealand.....
Jul 2, 2007, 5:47 pm
#2606
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Low cloud disrupts flights
Low cloud disrupted airports in the south yesterday as it forced one airport to close and delayed flights in Invercargill.
About 2000 passengers in and out of Queenstown had their plans disrupted.
This was after low cloud closed Queenstown Airport all day yesterday.
Air New Zealand duty manager Naoto Unno said all flights in and out of the resort were fully booked and although some passengers were transported to and from Dunedin or Christchurch by bus, flights could not be diverted to Invercargill because of bad weather there.
"We're showing up full again tomorrow) after rebooking passengers," he said yesterday....
About 2000 passengers in and out of Queenstown had their plans disrupted.
This was after low cloud closed Queenstown Airport all day yesterday.
Air New Zealand duty manager Naoto Unno said all flights in and out of the resort were fully booked and although some passengers were transported to and from Dunedin or Christchurch by bus, flights could not be diverted to Invercargill because of bad weather there.
"We're showing up full again tomorrow) after rebooking passengers," he said yesterday....
Jul 2, 2007, 5:50 pm
#2607
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,425
Airport fees may hit travellers (what is this may rubbish?)
NZ Herald
A novel idea but a lower dividend payout policy would have amply funded much redevelopment (and why should we be paying for new shops anyway?).
NZ Herald
Travellers using Auckland International Airport are likely to pick up the cost of at least one of twin price rises hitting airlines using the facility.
But the airport company says fee changes being introduced will also make the transport hub much more user-friendly to passengers.
The airport announced yesterday it was increasing its landing charges for airlines by 2.5 per cent per annum for the next five years.
...
But the airport company says fee changes being introduced will also make the transport hub much more user-friendly to passengers.
The airport announced yesterday it was increasing its landing charges for airlines by 2.5 per cent per annum for the next five years.
...
Jul 3, 2007, 1:01 am
#2608
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,986
Press Release - Calls to scrap Airport Development Charge
Air New Zealand said today the Airport Development Charge paid by passengers departing Auckland should be scrapped rather than disguised by the monopoly airport operator.
Auckland International Airport Limited said yesterday that it was increasing the Airport Development Charge (ADC) from 1 July 2008 and renaming it a Passenger Service Charge that would be directly levied on the airlines.
Air New Zealand CFO Rob McDonald said today there was already a misconception that the ADC was being scrapped by AIAL.
The collection of the fee is simply being transferred to the airlines, without their agreement. So instead of punching a credit card into a machine at the airport to get your departure sticker, the fee will be collected by the airline on behalf of AIAL when you book your fare.
While not having to pay the fee at the airport would streamline a frustrating process for the travelling public, the real issue was why the charge existed at all, Mr McDonald said.
Its clear from the excessive profits enjoyed by AIAL as a monopoly operator that the ADC isnt necessary to support infrastructure development. In renaming the ADC, AIAL appears to be acknowledging that, despite its name, the ADC has not been separately applied to the development of airport facilities.
Mr McDonald said that the $60 million in ADC charges collected annually from international passengers leaving Auckland, which must be paid to the AIAL, would inevitably now find its way into airfares.
We will have to seek the recover the fee from our customers, so instead of paying it as a separate charge, the levy will become a component of the airfare. Airfares are highly competitive and driven by market demand, but the imposition of such a significant levy by a third party will inevitably skew prices.
Mr McDonald that all charges of this nature had the direct effect of making
New Zealand more expensive as a tourist destination, at a time when inbound tourism was struggling with the record strength of the New Zealand dollar.
AIALs approach is completely misaligned with the drive for incremental growth in the number of international tourists to New Zealand, he said.
Air New Zealand will be reviewing its options in light of the AIALs announcement.
Mr McDonald said Air New Zealand will this week table a substantial response to the Minister of Commerces review of regulatory control provisions in the Commerce Act.
We have a range of perspectives on the lack of regulation that exists to protect the travelling public from monopoly abuse, and look forward to sharing these with officials as they work through the review process.
Auckland International Airport Limited said yesterday that it was increasing the Airport Development Charge (ADC) from 1 July 2008 and renaming it a Passenger Service Charge that would be directly levied on the airlines.
Air New Zealand CFO Rob McDonald said today there was already a misconception that the ADC was being scrapped by AIAL.
The collection of the fee is simply being transferred to the airlines, without their agreement. So instead of punching a credit card into a machine at the airport to get your departure sticker, the fee will be collected by the airline on behalf of AIAL when you book your fare.
While not having to pay the fee at the airport would streamline a frustrating process for the travelling public, the real issue was why the charge existed at all, Mr McDonald said.
Its clear from the excessive profits enjoyed by AIAL as a monopoly operator that the ADC isnt necessary to support infrastructure development. In renaming the ADC, AIAL appears to be acknowledging that, despite its name, the ADC has not been separately applied to the development of airport facilities.
Mr McDonald said that the $60 million in ADC charges collected annually from international passengers leaving Auckland, which must be paid to the AIAL, would inevitably now find its way into airfares.
We will have to seek the recover the fee from our customers, so instead of paying it as a separate charge, the levy will become a component of the airfare. Airfares are highly competitive and driven by market demand, but the imposition of such a significant levy by a third party will inevitably skew prices.
Mr McDonald that all charges of this nature had the direct effect of making
New Zealand more expensive as a tourist destination, at a time when inbound tourism was struggling with the record strength of the New Zealand dollar.
AIALs approach is completely misaligned with the drive for incremental growth in the number of international tourists to New Zealand, he said.
Air New Zealand will be reviewing its options in light of the AIALs announcement.
Mr McDonald said Air New Zealand will this week table a substantial response to the Minister of Commerces review of regulatory control provisions in the Commerce Act.
We have a range of perspectives on the lack of regulation that exists to protect the travelling public from monopoly abuse, and look forward to sharing these with officials as they work through the review process.
Interesting that Rob Fyfe is not fronting this issue
Jul 3, 2007, 1:44 pm
#2609
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,425
Airline protest unlikely to fly
NZ Herald
NZ Herald
On the face of it Auckland International Airport's landing fee increases - 2.5 per cent a year for the next five years - don't look too heavy-handed.
At about 13 per cent over five years they clock in at less than the likely rate of inflation and well short of the increases Auckland ratepayers will cop over the same period.
So what's eating the airlines?
...
At about 13 per cent over five years they clock in at less than the likely rate of inflation and well short of the increases Auckland ratepayers will cop over the same period.
So what's eating the airlines?
...
Jul 4, 2007, 1:20 pm
#2610
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,425
Complaints over hair raising trip
NZ Herald
Not a road I'd like to ride on with a bad driver.
NZ Herald
Air New Zealand Link operator Eagle Air says it will take seriously passengers' complaints about a "hair-raising" minibus trip between Nelson and Westport.
Passengers said they feared for their lives on the journey, put on by the airline after their Westport-bound flight on Friday evening was cancelled because of bad weather.
They told the Westport News that the bus veered into the grass verge at least four times as the driver drove too fast in torrential rain, surface flooding and fog.
...
Passengers said they feared for their lives on the journey, put on by the airline after their Westport-bound flight on Friday evening was cancelled because of bad weather.
They told the Westport News that the bus veered into the grass verge at least four times as the driver drove too fast in torrential rain, surface flooding and fog.
...