VA(NZ) starts to disappear

As part of the ongoing cost cutting measures announced at the AGM in November, Virgin Australia New Zealand was set to be integrated back into Virgin Australia International.

This visible signs of this began today Friday 30-January-2015 with Boeing 737-8FE ZK-PBA being struck from the New Zealand register.

ZK-PBA operated her final flight under NZ rego as VA161 from Auckland to Brisbane last night Thursday 29-January-2015 before entering the Virgin Australia hangar to cross over to the Australian register.

ZK-PBA began life as VH-VOO and it is possible that she may return to that registration.

Reports suggest that the remaining 9 Virgin 738s will all cross to the Australian register by March ending almost 10 years of Pacific Blue/Virgin Australia aircraft on the New Zealand register.

ZK-PBA seen in CHC in 2008 when Pacific Blue operated NZ domestic services © nzompilot

WSZ get new Sounds Air service (Updated)

After detailed talks between Picton based Sounds Air and Buller District Council Westport will be serviced by Sounds Air after national carrier Air new Zealand Link cease services in April.

The service will operate with a new aircraft to the Sounds Air fleet a 9 seat Pilatus PC12, the photo provided to media outlets by Sound Air depicts Pilatus Australia's demonstrator PC12 VH-FMM, it is unknown if this is the frame that Sounds Air will utilise or if this is for demonstration purposes only.

The announcement sees a partnership between Sounds Air and Buller District Council who own 50% of the Westport Airport in partnership with the New Zealand Government.

The deal sees Sounds Air guaranteed a six year term for the flight with the option of increasing services or adding new destinations should the need arise.

Return flights will operate 13x weekly with a double daily rotation WSZ-WLG-WSZ morning and evening Monday - Friday, with an additional morning return flight on Mondays and Fridays, the evening rotation will also operate on Sundays.

Flights will be available for booking on the Sounds Air website from Monday 26-January-2015 at the set price of $199 one way for an adult and $179 one way for children.  All fares come with an included 20kg baggage allowance.

Read more via The Marlborough Express HERE

UPDATE

Sounds Air have posted on Facebook that the new route will operate with two PC12's - they have again used the photo of VH-FMM and have also included an artists impression of the PC12 in Sounds Air livery wearing the ZK-PLS registration.

They have also announced Tuesday 28-April-2015 as the date of the first service.

Photo via Sounds Air Facebook page

Skytrans cease operation

A day after Rex picked up the regulated regional routes previously operated by Skytrans, Skytrans has voluntarily ceased operations.

The announcment was made on the airlines website this afternoon.

The companies remaining 67 staff were made redundant today and were paid out their full entitlements.

Managing Director Simon Wild siad in the announcement the company will now look at its options, but these do not include the return to passenger services in the short to medium term.

You can read the full announcemnt on the companies website www.skytrans.com.au

(I am currently away, but have broken into my break to bring you this news, as I feel it is importnant to the Australasian aviation scene)

Rex begins QLD services

As reported last year REX won the contract for several of the Queensland Government Regulated routes, beating out incumbent Skytrans.

The first service by Rex was today 1-January-2015 with the inaugural Western 2 service being operated by Saab SF340B VH-ZRH departing Brisbane shortly after 09:15AEST as ZL5662 to Wellcamp.  

This also marked the first service by Rex to Wellcamp, and the first of the regulated route services to Wellcamp, with Skytrains having previously serviced Toowoomba airport.

Rex Saab SF340B VH-ZRC at BNE in 2013

ZL5662 services the Western 2 route of Brisbane - Mt Isa via Toowoomba (Wellcamp) - Charleville - Quilpie - Windorah - Birdsville - Bedourie - Boulia

Today also saw the first Rex services on Northern 1 Longreach - Winton - Townsville & Gulf flights from Cairns - Mt Isa via Normanton - Mornington Island - Doomadgee