Jetstar (NZ) reprimanded by NZASA

Jetstar in New Zealand have been reprimanded by the New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for an advertising promotion emailed to Jetstar NZ members for an Easter Sale.

The email advertisement by the airline featured cartoon Easter eggs and promoted an Easter sale on airfares, including the words "with Easter coming up next weekend it's time to hop to it and take your next trip away".
"Take advantage of these great value Easter holiday packages," it said.
However, the flights for sale were not for the period that included Easter.
A customer complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after discovering the travel period specified in the sale was after the Easter break.

Now for most of us Avgeek's this is quite normal as most sales have a travel period that in no way matches the advertisement, but obviously in this case someone wasn't happy with that.

The ASA found the ads to be misleading and ordered Jetstar to take down the ads - although I'm not sure what effect this has had since clearly being an "Easter sale" it finished last month.

Read more on thew ASA decision from The New Zealand Herald HERE

Aviation Blogs & Facebook

Depending on what sort of device you are reading this on somewhere over that way --> you'll see a list of great aviation blogs to follow.  Well some of those blogs are also on facebook, and we're all family so here are some links to them

Central Queensland Plane Spotting
BLOG
FACEBOOK

Brisbane Airport Movements
BLOG
FACEBOOK

South East Queensland Aviation
BLOG
FACEBOOK

Plane Spotting Adelaide
BLOG
FACEBOOK

There are probably a whole lot more and I don't pretend this to be a full list.  If you want your blog or facebook page/group featured then flick me an email, the address is also over there somewhere -->

Aviation Facebook groups/pages

Most people these days have a presence on facebook and for the local aviation community it is no different, here are 2 pages and 2 groups I follow, which I think you will also like.

Self-Confessed Aerosexual

I may be a little biased towards this page as it was set up by my mate Daz and I'm an Admin on it, but its a great place to share your aviation photo's and chill with like minded Avgeeks

YBBN Spotters Group

As the name suggests this is a page which showcases the photos of Brisbane spotters, its run by amazing photographer Lance assisted by Tim, Mike & Adam

Aircraft Spotters Brisbane

This is another Brisbane based spotters group showcasing notable movements through Brisbane, it is run by prolific aviation figure Michael Dawson

Australian Aircraft Spotters Group

This is another of the groups run by Michael and covers spotting and notable movements throughout Australia

Air New Zealand news

Air New Zealand held their annual Investor Day Presentation on Tuesday and the presentation is now online at the NZX website as can be seen HERE  I have scrolled through all 94 slides and here are some of the key points

The new strategy for this year seems to have been entitled go beyond and features heavily in the presentation

© Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand seem to have focused their route strategy onto the Pacific Rim and will focus on direct flights

© Air New Zealand (slide 10)

When looking for new markets within this region Air New Zealand will focus on

1. Market size to support 2-3 weekly services
2. Higher yielding traffic mix >Bus/VFR
3. Strong historical and projected growth
4. Strong point-to-point market
5. Focused markets (1-2 main cities)
6. Structural advantage, mostly outbound
7. Conduct advantage - network, cost or product

From this there are four main conclusions

1. Playing in the right markets
2. Working with the right partners
3. Australasian business portfolio
4. Pacific Rim network focus

From the following slide I get the impression that the new B787 fleet (or at least the first B787-9) will feature the All Black livery

© Air New Zealand (slide 46)

Further to the fleet news, in 2013 Air New Zealand will see 3 new A320s as well as 2 ATR 72-600s and over the next 3 years the fleet additions will look like this

© Air New Zealand (from slide 89)

During this time Air New Zealand expect the B747 fleet to have been fully retired by 2014, with the B737 & B767 fleet retired by 2015, although the B767 exit is under review.  So by 2016 the Air New Zealand long haul fleet will comprise B787 & B777 aircraft while the short haul jet fleet will be all A320 

Air New Zealand are also looking at focusing on the following

• B787 entry into service
• B777-200 upgrades
• Lounge upgrades (CHC, AKL, LAX)
• New ATR72-600s on regional + upgraded existing 72-500s
• Improved check-in experience
• Seamless journeys through our integrated network

Virgin earnings downgrade

On Wednesday evening after the ASX had closed Virgin Australia announced an earnings downgrade expecting its full year result to be lower than last year although still positive.

The Virgin Australia share price fell eight cents to 38 cents on the news, wiping more than 17 per cent, or more than $200 million from its market capitalisation.

The price and capacity war being waged between Virgin and Qantas in the domestic market has been the catalyst for the downgrade and has also impacted the profit forecast of Qantas.

Read more on the news from Business Speculator writer Stephen Bartholomeusz HERE

'New' QF B717s & return to CBR

Qantas have announced that the 5 'new' Boeing 717 aircraft to enter their QantasLink fleet, operated by Cobham Aviation, will have Business class and will operate on Canberra routes to and from Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne.

"QantasLink will introduce a full Business experience on these aircraft, including market-leading seats, premium food and drinks and exceptional onboard service," Mr Gissing said.

The 'new' aircraft are expected to enter service from late 2013 once the new interiors are fitted. The new flights from Canberra will mark the return of the B717 to Sydney & Melbourne skies, after having previous been seen there in Impulse then Jetstar colours.

Cobham operate the current fleet of 13 aircraft in QantasLink colours in predominantly Western Australia supporting the mining industry, but also operate some regional routes out of Brisbane (as seen below)

©nzompilot 2013 Boeing 717 VH-NXM departing YBBN

Read the full Qantas press  release HERE

Please switch off all electronic equipment

Ever wondered why in 2013 airlines are still asking you to turn off your electronic transmitting devices such as mobile phones when you are in flight?  Well Bloomberg have published a great article on the subject

The regional airliner was climbing past 9,000 feet when its compasses went haywire, leading pilots several miles off course until a flight attendant persuaded a passenger in row 9 to switch off an Apple iPhone.

Everyone in this day in age has a smart device and expects to be able to use it in all situations including on an aircraft, and most cant understand why with all the advances in mobile technology and also aircraft technology why there is still an interference issue, especially when some airlines have trialed and offer in flight wi-fi systems, but what punters don't seem to realise is;

Inflight Wi-Fi systems are safe in part because devices connect to them at low power levels, according to Carson, who was co-chairman of an RTCA panel that produced testing standards.

This is a touchy issue with most people and there will always be people who object to the official views of the regulating bodies and the airlines, but this issue doesn't look likely to be solved anytime soon, so its an issue that needs to be kept at the forefront of peoples minds.

Laboratory tests have shown some devices broadcast radio waves powerful enough to interfere with airline equipment, according to NASA, aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co and the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority. 

Read the article for yourself HERE and see if you agree with the thoughts of the FAA/CAA/CASA/Manufacturers/Airlines or you agree more with some of the comments from readers.

Ridge Air BHE-CHC

Ridge Air is a small 3rd level operator based out of Omaka Aerodrome in Blenheim with a fleet of 2 aircraft - former Vincent Aviation Cessna 402C ZK-VAD, Piper PA-34-220T Senica IV ZK-BJM

Ridge Air also advertise Robinson R44 ZK-HDD but this is owned & operated by Tasman Helicopters & used when required.

I found berried in a business buzz article in the Marlborough Express a report that Ridge Air will start a daily return Blenheim-Christchurch flight targeting business customers.  The flight will depart Blenheim at 7am arriving in Christchurch at 8.10am, witht he return departing Christchurch at 4.30pm arriving in Blenheim at 5.40pm

I do not know whether these flights will operate from Woodbourne or from Omaka, or where they will operate from at Christchurch.

Read more on Ridge Air's fleet at Steve's 3rd Level New Zealand blog HERE or Dave Paull's NZ Civil Aircraft blog HERE