Air NZ to commence seasonal flights between Auckland and Sunshine Coast. See article from Courier Mail below:
WHO wants to surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon?
The first direct flights between the Sunshine Coast and New Zealand were announced this morning, with a special $149 one-way deal available from 1pm today until midnight on March 2.
In a major coup for the region's tourism industry, the new service will begin this winter operated by Air New Zealand as part of its Trans Tasman alliance with Virgin Australia.
Airbus A320s will fly between Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola and Auckland each Sunday and Tuesday from July 1 until September 18.
Flights will connect with domestic flights to the South Island's ski fields and also to scheduled flights to North America, including to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver.
Air New Zealand's GM Australia Cam Wallace said he was delighted to see Air New Zealand begin a great working relationship with the Sunshine Coast.
``We're looking forward to helping more Queenslanders make the trip across the ditch whether they're visiting friends and family or enjoying the New Zealand ski season. We'll also be flying plenty of Kiwi tourists into the heart of the Sunshine Coast to enjoy some winter warmth," he said.
``While the initial season is 1 July to 18 September, if there's enough demand we'll look to make it a year-round service.''
Ahh Wally ANZ operate RNP into Queenstown in horrid weather so I think they won't find too much trouble in QLD!!!
Except that it is a short 30m runway, constant xwind, high minima and gets very heavy rain.
If they were smart they'd build their own RNP down to the threshold at least then they will have a crack at getting in whilst everyone else is going to BNE.
Yes our A320 Kiwi mates in ANZ don't ever see cappy weather in their flights, 30m runways or high minimums so I could see how the Sunshine coast might just bring em down a peg!!
It isn't even up to domestic standard. How much money did they just spend only leave it so you have to checkin, walk outside and then back into a different part of the same building to get to security!
..........whoops yr right there 'jabadabadoo', same thing though, another QLD backwards Airport where you feel yr way down to the ground during an NPA (No Proper Approach)
Hey 'nit' I've been into 'Queertown' b4 & yr right YBSU & YBCG are a walk in the park!
28 degree day, 160pax, Tempo on SYD and you are pushing MTOW for the 1797m with TOGA and Packs off, how are they going to carry AKL? Restricted to 100pax maybe?
28 degree day, 160pax, Tempo on SYD and you are pushing MTOW for the 1797m with TOGA and Packs off, how are they going to carry AKL? Restricted to 100pax maybe?
Roj, I was thinking the same - but throw in a Wet RWY as well and I dont think the Perf Figures would look that great.
I wonder if they checked with Flt Ops the feasability of it before announcing it??
Don't Air New Zealand have a few of their A320's with performance upgrade kits to enable trans tasman operations out of NZRO - YSSY. NZRO is over 1000' high, 30m wide, and around 1760m long. Maybe they are going to deploy these aircraft on this route as well. I seem to remember reading something about the engines being 'up-rated' to enable this route to launch??
