1st Flights

 

Two new aircraft for local airlines have recently had their first flights.  Both are new Boeing 787 aircraft VH-VKA a 787-8 for Jetstar and N789EX (to be ZK-NZC with Air New Zealand) the first Boeing 787-9

photo via Airchive .com

VH-VKA took to the air for the first time on Saturday 14-September-2013 at 16:40 local time on a 1hr 33min flight to/from Moses Lake.  Read more from Australian Aviation HERE or Ausbt.com HERE

photo Boeing via Australian Aviation

The first Boeing 787-9 has taken to the air as part of the Boeing test/certification program for the model.  The frame will become ZK-NZC the third 787-9 to be delivered to Air New Zealand in 2015 after it has finished its Boeing test program.

The 789 departed Everett this morning (17-September-2013 local) at 11:02 and performed a five hour flight testing the aircraft's systems and structures.

Could SA replace NZ in MRO?

While its a bit of a stretch to think its SA code namesake South African Airlines would replace Air New Zealand Link on services into Masterton, there is a chance that Sounds Air may bring services back to the airport.

Sounds Air would not look to replace the national airline on its Masterton-Auckland service rather operating a new Masterton to Wellington service to offer passengers an alternative to traffic queues and exorbitant parking charges at Wellington.

While criticism continues of the national carrier's decision to can its Masterton-Auckland route, Sounds Air managing director Andrew Crawford told The Dominion Post his airline would meet Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell on Monday to discuss stepping into the breach from November.   

Sounds Air would offer an early morning departure from Masteron in one of its Cessna C208 Caravan's on the short flight to Wellington where passengers can then connect onto an Air New Zealand service to Auckland or Christchurch.

Read more on the potential offering HERE

Airways New Zealand, flow and arrival management

Airways New Zealand have launched a world first flow and arrival management system at Auckland.

Airlines operating into and out of Auckland are set to save tens of millions of dollars in fuel following the implementation of an integrated flow management and arrival management system. In what is said to be a world-first deployment, airlines are already benefiting from significantly reduced airborne delays and optimised flight profiles.

There is evidence that in 2007 the average airborne delay into AKL was 3.5 minutes and since the introduction of this service the average airborne delay is just 23 seconds.

This looks to be a well worth it system based on the information contained in the article from Australian Aviation on their website HERE and is something that I think Brisbane Airport and Airservices Australia should be VERY keen on considering the epic airborne delays in Brisbane airspace.

NZWB/BHE set to grow

Photo from Marlborough Airport website

Blenheim's airport terminal, at Woodbourne (NZWB/BHE) is set to more than double its footprint in expansion plans unveiled yesterday.

It was expected to take six months to complete the work, which would see the passenger area expanded to the south, increasing existing floor space from 92 square metres to 240 square metres.
A mezzanine floor was also being considered to further increase passenger space.   

The current terminal opened in 1995 and passengers numbers have grown to 230 000/yr and are expected to continue to grow, especially with more Air New Zealand flights moving to the Q300 aircraft.  Even if Air New Zealand replace 2x 1900D flights with a single Q300 flight that is still an increase in capacity from 38 to 50 seats.

Marlborough Airport is served by 3 airlines Air New Zealand operating a mix of B1900D & Q300 aircraft to AKL, CHC & WLG, SoundsAir operating C208 Caravan & C208B Grand Caravan Aircraft to WLG and Air2There operating a C208 Caravan between PPQ, BHE & NSN - Air2There codeshare on the SoundsAir BHE-WLG route.

Read more on the terminal expansion via local newspaper The Marlborough Express reporter Cathie Bell HERE

NZ regional changes

In what appears to be a common trend Air New Zealand is slashing more 1900D services with AKL-MRO and WLG-WAG being cut, and AKL-ROT going to Q300 for morning services.

This follows in the footsteps of earlier changes including a morning Q300 service on the WLG-BHE route replacing two 1900D services.  The extra Q300 capacity is due to the new ATR 72-600s being introduced to several Q300 routes.

The Auckland to Masterton route ends in February 2014, while the Wellington to Wanganui service ends in December this year.

Blaming uneconomic operations and lack of demand, Air New Zealand executives told Wairarapa mayors today the service from Masterton Airport would cease from February 5.

In scuttlebutt around the internet there is word that Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Air is looking to sell 8 of their 1900D fleet but this is yet to be substantiated by any proof.

The main article for this on the NZ Herald website appears to have been removed despite being a trending topic and most read story with the links returning you to the home page, however the article can still be seen at the Wairarapa Times-Age site HERE (which itself is a subsidiary of the NZ Herald)

JQ launch ADL-AKL

Jetstar have launched a new 3x weekly service between Auckland and Adelaide from December 16th.

The service will operate Monday's, Wednesday's & Saturdays utilising the mainstay of the JQ short haul fleet the Airbus A320.

Jetstar Group Chief Commercial Officer David Koczkar said the launch delivers the first direct low fares flights between the two destinations.“The customer response to our trans-Tasman flying has been strong over the past few years and we’re delighted to now introduce direct flights from Adelaide to Auckland,” Mr Koczkar said.

It is yet unknown if the flight will route AKL-ADL-AKL or ADL-AKL-ADL

This introduction will see Air New Zealand lose their monopoly on this route, however Qantas have also previously operated this rtoute.

Read more including the introductory sale fares at the Jetstar website HERE