New Zealand News

Lockheed Offers C-130j Discount

Lockheed Martin has proposed that the RNZAF join Australia in ordering the C-130J Hercules II at the same time as it would offer significant cost savings over a later and individual procurement. Currently the RNZAF plans to operate its four C-130H Hercules through to 2010, with a replacement decision not planned until mid next decade. However Lockheed Martin claims that if New Zealand makes a joint purchase with Australia, operating savings would more than offset the cost of acquiring the aircraft earlier than planned. Lockheed Martin says the savings could be realised as the C-130J requires only half the aircrew and maintenance personnel of earlier model C-130s, and is much more fuel efficient. Participating in a large joint order with Australia would likely mean the C-130J unit cost would be lower than it would otherwise be. It seems unlikely though that such an early RNZAF purchase could be funded.

Air NZ Flight Attendant Dispute Settled

Air New Zealand’s domestic flight attendants have agreed to a new collective employment contract in the wake of their series of 24 hour strikes. The Flight Attendants and Related Services Association has ratified a deal which sees the FAs awarded a one off payment equivalent to 5% of income earned over a 14 month period, plus a 2% wage increase. The flight attendants mounted a series of 24 hour strikes after rejecting a previous pay offer. The settlement was reached almost a year after the flight attendants’ last collective contract expired.

Atrs To Invercargill

Air New Zealand, through Mount Cook Airline, will operate ATR 72s between Invercargill and Christchurch from late November, rather than Boeing 737s. The change in aircraft type was dictated by low load factors, although frequency between the two cities will be increased from three to four flights each weekday. In addition the early morning flight to Christchurch will no longer operate via Dunedin, and Dunedin instead will get its own early morning ATR direct flight to Christchurch. The change of aircraft type follows a review of services, and seems likely to be the first of many instances where Mount Cook’s new 66 seat ATR 72s will replace Air New Zealand National’s 113 seat Boeing 737-200s on secondary domestic services. Ansett New Zealand had earlier announced that it was withdrawing its last BAe 146 jet flight between Invercargill and Christchurch due to poor loadings, leaving three weekday services operated by Dash 8s. Both airlines would operate jets into Invercargill if heavy traffic demand dictated.

Oceanic Control System Operational

On September 14 New Zealand’s air traffic control system became the first in the world with a fully operational Oceanic Control System (OCS). OCS allows air traffic controllers to monitor and keep contact with aircraft flying through oceanic airspace using satellite communications, overcoming the limitations of traditional radio communications and allowing greater safety and flexibility. Airways Corporation now offers OCS flight control to any FANS 1 equipped aircraft. Airways has had OCS in place since April, although it only become operational in September after rigorous testing. OCS allows Airways ATC controllers to send and receive messages to and from aircraft within their oceanic airspace via a visual situation display.

Briefs

Cathay Pacific planned to introduce a fourth weekly 747-400 Auckland/Hong Kong service from October 29. The new flight departs Hong Kong on Sunday evening and returns the following day.

Kiwi Travel International Airlines Chief Executive Ewan Wilson is selling staff 100,000 of his shares in the airline for $NZ4 each, reducing his holding in the airline from 60% to around 47%. The airline hopes to publicly float in the next 12 months.

Eurocopter, Westland, Sikorsky and Kaman have all submitted their final tenders for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s $NZ200m contract to acquire up to six helicopters to equip Anzac and Leander class frigates and replace the Westland Wasp. The decision will go before the NZ Cabinet in four to five months.

The first general manager of Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (TEAL — the precursor to Air New Zealand), Sir Geoffrey Roberts, has died, aged 89.

Malaysia Airlines plans to operate two direct services per week between Kuala Lumpur and Auckland, in addition to the two flights it currently operates via Brisbane.

Aerobatics Unlimited is a newly formed Hamilton based company offering aerobatic joyflights and instruction using PAC CT-4E Airtrainer ZK-EUN. Aerobatics Unlimited is operated by Steve Gunn, the chief pilot for newly formed Kiwi Shuttle. EUN is in fact an ex RAAF CT-4A.

Ansett Air Freight plans to operate a converted Fokker F27 freighter between Invercargill and Christchurch on an on demand basis to transport live rock lobsters bound for export over the coming months. The F27 would connect with flights to Japan.