KRA announce initial routes

New start up Kiwi Regional airlines has announced its first routes with a launch focus on Dunedin.

From Sunday 27-September-2015 KRA hopes to use its single Saab SF340A on the following daily rotation DUD-ZQN-DUD-NSN-HLZ-NSN-DUD-ZQN-DUD

KRA has always wanted to operate routes without direct competition from the national carrier, and with this route structure they have succeeded in that.

Dunedin - Queenstown is a route that has only been offered by small regional operators in the past with 9 seat aircraft so the introduction of a 32 seat aircraft on double daily flights is a big jump.

Dunedin - Nelson is a brand new route linking together two of the South Islands larger centres, a route that has never had a direct service.

Nelson - Hamilton is a route that has previously been operated by both Origin Pacific and Air New Zealand.

Despite being Dunedin centric in this initial schedule, the airline will base its crews in Hamilton.

Read more about the KRA plans via stuff.co.nz HERE

Rough start for potential new NZ domestic player

Startup regional player Kiwi Regional Airlines has announced its proposed route network, but has already suffered a knock back at the hands of the New Zealand Government.

KRA CEO Ewan Wilson is well know in the New Zealand aviation industry having been behind the failed Kiwi International Airlines that operated LCC services Trans-Tasman and fell victim to amongst other things predatory behaviour Air New Zealand's Freedom Air.

KRA's launch network was set to be;
AKL-HLZ-NSN-ZQN-DUD
WPE-WLG
WPE-PMR-BHE
NSN-PMR-TRG

However the New Zealand Government has confirmed it will not be revising a decision that prevents civilian flights from Whenuapai due to noise concerns.  This will prevent KRA from launching its WPE-WLG and WPE-PMR routes.

KRA's route network has been carefully chosen so the airline is not in compassion with Air New Zealand Link.

The company will be based in Hamilton, and will purchase two Saab 340 34-seater aircraft from Europe for the flights. Snacks and refreshments will be offered, and the service will include a flight attendant.

The airline is looking to add a third SF340 to the fleet once operations have commenced.  These cannot commence yet as KRA has yet to receive regulatory approval from the CAA, according to their press release, they hope to commence flights in late 2015 or early 2016.  As can be seen in the above graphic they are aiming to commence the application process on 01-May-2015.

Check out the airlines website HERE
the stuff.co.nz article HERE
the nzherald.co.nz article HERE
and the KRA press release HERE