Originally Posted by
MCDU2
The problem with niche routes/airlines is that they are typically under-capitalised and generally won't stump up for spare aircraft. After a few tech delays the punters get fed up and take their business elsewhere. Also if the routes are profitable then it would be naive to think that Air NZ and others will just sit back and not compete.
Pero might get allocations of accommodation. Not much use flying to RAR with another airline, if you can't get accommodation. Will they even let tourists in without accommodation booked ?
They don't want surfers sleeping on beaches.
Also it's not like a SYD/MEL route.
The outbound market from RAR must be tiny.
Had a very quick look at what JQ & NZ are offering right now AKL/RAR in May/June.
It seems JQ have some reasonable fares but timings suck. 0100 arrivals in RAR with 0200 departures on days I saw.
NZ only seemed to be showing business class fares on just under NZD$1000 one way.
Imagine new airline will be offering airfare & accommodation packages & don't forget Aitutaki (spelling). It's high end & anyone living near CHC & WLG with $$$ does not want to fly via awful AKL.
Think of all those overpaid public servants living in WLG. If like Australia, public servants can't get or use frequent flyer points, when flying for work.
AKL is set up as badly as SYD. Changing terminals is a time consuming pain in the arse at both.
The big questions are:-
1) Will they start with 1 or 2 aircraft ? Different news stories don't agree on this.
Perhaps, with so many 1000s of aircraft parked, they can get a deal with aircraft owners, that they lease one & have a back up aircraft, initially paid for by the hour. Think about it. Many aircraft owners are going to be waiting a long time for their fleet to be fully utilised. 2, 3 or 4 years maybe ?
There must be some weird & wonderful leasing deals happening right now.
2) where else could they fly to ? Other Pacific nations ? Samoa ? Tonga ?
Imagine in school holidays & especially Xmas, they'd be flying 25 hours a day/8 days a week & making $$$.
Pent up demand is huge.
Obviously not Fiji, assuming Fiji airways will resume their nonstops WLG & CHC/NAN.
or could they fly from somewhere in Australia one stop (at WLG or CHC) to RAR ?
What about MCY ?
NZ does or did seasonal flights AKL/MCY in winter & think it got up to 3 or 4 per week.
They could get 2 way demand. Kiwis going to MCY & also Kiwis in OZ & Australians going to RAR & WLG or CHC.