New Zealand News

Now both airlines have a range of routes available and are planning to increase these. Kiwi commenced operations from Hamilton/Melbourne/Perth and Christchurch/Melbourne/Perth from July 1. The airline has also leased new aircraft to fly these services. On the Hamilton based routes Kiwi is using an Airbus A320 leased from Region Air of Singapore. This aircraft is capable of carrying 180 passengers in an albeit tight single-class arrangement. This is the first time an Airbus aircraft has been operated in New Zealand and internationally out of New Zealand. A Boeing 737-300 is operated out of Christchurch and is configured for 148 pax. This service marks the first time that Kiwi has taken on Air NZ directly from the same airport. The 737 is leased from Icelandic Airlines in Europe. Kiwi is also looking at the possibility of services out of Dunedin in the future. Kiwi is also planning to lease a 757 from Air 2000 over the summer months to complement its fleet during the holiday season.

Kiwi has also stated its intentions to enter the Australian domestic market if the Australian and New Zealand governments can agree on the single trans-Tasman aviation market. Kiwi would offer six flights per week between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, triangulating its services to link the capitals with existing trans-Tasman services. The major benefit for Kiwi is that there is no need to endure a dispute over domestic terminal space as they would use their existing rights at the international terminals.

Meanwhile, Freedom Air has also been heavily marketing itself with routes to the ski fields a big seller. Freedom Air has been offering services to Hamilton and Dunedin as the gateways to the New Zealand ski fields and offering such deals as the “Take a Mate” fare which offers a second person a reduced fare to the slopes. However, things have not been all smooth sailing for the charter operator. It was allowed to operate four flights to Coolangatta during July, but its recent application to Australian authorities for a further nine flights between August and October has been rejected. On the days of the Coolangatta flights Freedom Air leases a second 737-300 from Polynesian Airlines.

These two airlines have proved that another service was definitely needed in New Zealand (and Australia) by load factors of 75% for Freedom Air and 71% for Kiwi. However, if a recent survey in the Waikato area is anything to go by, then Kiwi would seem to have a strong foothold. In a poll of nearly 600 people around Hamilton (Kiwi’s home base), people were asked the question, “If you were considering travelling to Australia, which airline would be your first choice?” The results were Kiwi 67%, Air NZ 23%, Qantas 6%, and Freedom Air 1%.

Air NZ Looks at New 737s

Air NZ has recently been studying Boeing’s new model 737s for its future domestic short-haul routes. (Australian Aviation August 1996)

The new models being studied are the -700 and -800 which are derivatives of the model 300s and 400s respectively. Air New Zealand has had six 737-300s on order since 1991 and has the option of converting these to newer models if required. The airline is looking at having a more flexible domestic fleet in the future with aircraft capable of regional and trans-Tasman operations. These aircraft would replace the airline’s 737-200s which first entered service in 1968, though most of this fleet is relatively young, comprising the final -200s off the line.

In other Air New Zealand news, the international pilots have recently been given permission to nap in the cockpit on long flights. However, only one pilot may sleep at a time so there will always be someone awake in the cockpit. This policy falls in line with other airlines such as Qantas who have allowed pilot naps for the last year.

With Air New Zealand’s recent announcement of its code-share arrangement with Lan Chile Airlines, the airline has stepped up marketing aimed at South American tourist agents. Recently the airline flew 120 Latin American travel retailers to Australia to promote the region as a holiday destination for South Americans. This was part of Air New Zealand’s biennial “Project Pride” which brings travel agents from all over the world to promote Australian and New Zealand tourism.

Airport Upgrades

The recent increase in both domestic and international operations from Hamilton and Dunedin airports since the arrival of Kiwi and Freedom Air has meant that these two airports have been caught short and not quite able to handle the increase in capacity.

Hamilton’s new terminal extensions are expected to be completed soon, and apron extensions and improved car parking facilities are underway. In Dunedin, its new international terminal is almost finished and the runway extensions are completed.

RNZAF Skyhawks to Remain at Nowra

The six RNZAF A-4 Skyhawks that have been based at Nowra in support of the Australian Defence Force for the past five years will continue to be based there in the future. The RNZAF has increased its budget for the year for the Skyhawks by $NZ21m up to$NZ49.9m. This comes as both governments are considering increasing the Skyhawks’ flying hours in Australia.

Back in New Zealand, the Air Force is also trying to cope with a shortage of pilots for its aircraft. The Air Force is facing a shortage for most aircraft except the Skyhawk. Ways of increasing its pilot numbers are being pursued, including streamlining crew training to speed up the training course without compromising the level of pilot skill.

Briefs

The spectacular eruption in June of Mt Ruapehu on the North Island caused major airports to close and flight paths to be altered as the volcano released tonnes upon tonnes of ash. The ash from the volcano stayed in the skies for days and continued to be an obstacle for aircraft.

One of the newest aviation websites is that of the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum at Wanaka. The site has information on the museum’s displays and activities and features details on the Alpine Fighter Collection. Website is at https://ozfpm-uz.nzfpm.btm

The restoration is almost complete of a former French Air Force Lancaster at Auckland. The restoration has taken eight years and has been achieved by WW2 airmen at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. The Lancaster was built in 1945 and used by France after the war as a maritime patrol aircraft.

Invercargill airport has become the first airport in the Southern Hemisphere to operate an ATR 72 airbridge. This will allow passengers to walk on and off the aircraft without being exposed to the elements.