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A Bandeirante in the colours of the newly launched Ansett New Zealand Regional at Palmerston North. (Peter Clark)
New Zealand News
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Qantas Says No NZ Domestic Plans
Qantas has told the New Zealand Commerce Commission’s hearing into Air New Zealand’s planned acquisition of a 50% stake in Ansett Australia that it is unlikely to enter the NZ domestic airline market. Qantas says that the start-up costs of a New Zealand domestic operation would be too high and would not justify the likely small rate of return. The airline cited Ansett’s losses with its establishment of Ansett New Zealand, saying the costs involved would far outweigh the benefits of having a NZ domestic feed. However Qantas’ Group General Manager Strategic Development Steve Davies did not entirely rule out a NZ domestic operation. According to a NZ newspaper he stated: “The only circumstance in which I could envisage Qantas becoming directly involved in the New Zealand domestic market would be in the event of either Ansett New Zealand or Air New Zealand National being divested by their current owners.”
737 For Freedom
Freedom Air International is replacing its 757-200 with a smaller 737-300 for its operations during its winter schedule. The 757-200 was due to return to its owner Britannia in late April who needs the aircraft for its peak northern summer timetable. The 737-300 was previously in service with El Salvador’s national carrier TACA International Airlines. TACA’s operations are based out of New Orleans in the USA and the aircraft is registered in the USA. The 737 was due to arrive in New Zealand to commence services from April 27. Freedom has also announced its winter timetable, which focuses on operations to Queensland. The timetable features nine weekly services from the NZ centres of Hamilton, Palmerston North and Dunedin to Brisbane and Sydney. Freedom is planning other ad hoc charters to Queensland and is hoping to fly to Coolangatta, something that has previously been hindered by Customs problems (as Coolangatta is a domestic airport). Meanwhile a survey of 4000 Freedom passengers revealed 80% of passengers would fly across the Tasman more often now that lower fares and more flights are on offer. Further, 89% said they would travel with Freedom again, only 1% said they would not. Most (55%) were visiting friends and relatives, 39% were travelling primarily on business.
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