Sqwark2004
12th Apr 2006, 08:54
11 April 2006
By ROELAND VAN DEN BERGH
Origin Pacific will this week introduce a new loyalty scheme and two larger aircraft as the Nelson-based airline fights its way back to financial health.
Under the Origin Flier scheme, passengers receive a free flight for every 12 one-way trips or six return flights.
The free flight can be used for any "Just Go" seat on any Origin service regardless of the distance previously flown and is transferable to another person. Just Go seats make up more than half the seats on an aircraft.
Progress toward the free flight will be printed on passengers' boarding passes.
The scheme was aimed at boosting passenger numbers and building a closer relationship with customers, executive chairman Robert Inglis said. A previous scheme was for business travellers only.
Origin Flier was similar to a programme that had significantly boosted passenger numbers on an Australian regional carrier, Mr Inglis said.
The programme will be operated by Auckland-based Atlantis, which runs other large loyalty schemes, including for supermarkets, children's clothing and banks. These may eventually be linked to Origin Flier.
The airline will also reintroduce two 29-seat Jetstream 41 turboprop aircraft which were returned to their owner when Origin got into financial difficulties in 2004.
The aircraft will replace its three 18-seat Jetstream 32s and is a move to standardise the fleet to J41 and 18-seat J31 models to improve operating costs. Capacity would remain about the same, Mr Inglis said.
The first J41 will return to service this week and the second within a month. Some of the J31s may eventually also be replaced by the bigger model. Origin has a fleet of 11 Jetstream passenger aircraft and Fairchild Metroliner freighters.
Origin Pacific expects to turn a profit in the year to June, its first since a creditors' rescue nearly two years ago. The private company does not reveal figures. Creditors agreed to write off 60 per cent of the $11.4 million they were owed nearly two years ago, allowing Origin to continue flying after its code-share agreement with Qantas ended.
"We are making steady progress," Mr Inglis said.
Much of the rebuilding in the past year has focused on developing the freight business, including the recently negotiated use of a Boeing 767 freighter which provides an overnight services between Auckland and Christchurch.
The freight business, which includes the marketing rights to the cargo space on Qantas' domestic Boeing 737s, now accounts for nearly half of the airline's revenue. Origin has a partnership arrangement with DHL Worldwide Express.
Origin would make cautious growth steps, Mr Inglis said.
"We remain realistic about the challenges we face in the current aviation industry climate, particularly where our main competitor Air New Zealand is state-owned and, in fact, would not even be flying without Government intervention at the expense of the ever-suffering taxpayer.
"Nevertheless, we're confident of our position and growth opportunities."
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Freight boosts Origin's business
11 April 2006
By VANESSA PHILLIPS
Growth in its freight service has strengthened business for Nelson airline Origin Pacific, which plans to upgrade to larger aircraft.
Executive chairman Robert Inglis said the airline's freight service had grown to the extent where revenue from it was approaching that from Origin's passenger business.
Since 2004, when Origin creditors agreed to write off 60 percent of the $11.4 million they were owed, the airline has been fighting its way back.
Mr Inglis blamed the financial woes on the flow-on effect of Air New Zealand being bailed out of trouble by the Government. He said Origin had been forced to look at other ways to expand its business.
"We've had to work hard to restructure our business and alter the network we operated, and focus on new areas of revenue."
Freight was one area that was proving profitable, while the airline's charter business had also been a steady revenue earner, he said.
The charter business would be further enhanced when the company introduced more 30-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft, he said.
Origin already operates three of the aircraft. Mr Inglis said it was reintroducing two more that had not been in service since the lease on them ran out a year ago. One was arriving in Nelson today.
Mr Inglis said Origin was not increasing its fleet but was likely to eventually replace all six of its 18-seater Jetstreams with the larger 30-seat model, to standardise its fleet and ensure it could cater for anticipated passenger growth.
Origin is introducing a new customer loyalty programme on Monday. Mr Inglis said he believed this would help to attract more passengers.
The rewards include passengers receiving one free flight for every 12 one-way flights or six return flights.
Mr Inglis said competing with state-owned Air New Zealand was anything but a level "flying" field, but he was confident Origin would continue to strengthen its status as a significant regional airline.
By ROELAND VAN DEN BERGH
Origin Pacific will this week introduce a new loyalty scheme and two larger aircraft as the Nelson-based airline fights its way back to financial health.
Under the Origin Flier scheme, passengers receive a free flight for every 12 one-way trips or six return flights.
The free flight can be used for any "Just Go" seat on any Origin service regardless of the distance previously flown and is transferable to another person. Just Go seats make up more than half the seats on an aircraft.
Progress toward the free flight will be printed on passengers' boarding passes.
The scheme was aimed at boosting passenger numbers and building a closer relationship with customers, executive chairman Robert Inglis said. A previous scheme was for business travellers only.
Origin Flier was similar to a programme that had significantly boosted passenger numbers on an Australian regional carrier, Mr Inglis said.
The programme will be operated by Auckland-based Atlantis, which runs other large loyalty schemes, including for supermarkets, children's clothing and banks. These may eventually be linked to Origin Flier.
The airline will also reintroduce two 29-seat Jetstream 41 turboprop aircraft which were returned to their owner when Origin got into financial difficulties in 2004.
The aircraft will replace its three 18-seat Jetstream 32s and is a move to standardise the fleet to J41 and 18-seat J31 models to improve operating costs. Capacity would remain about the same, Mr Inglis said.
The first J41 will return to service this week and the second within a month. Some of the J31s may eventually also be replaced by the bigger model. Origin has a fleet of 11 Jetstream passenger aircraft and Fairchild Metroliner freighters.
Origin Pacific expects to turn a profit in the year to June, its first since a creditors' rescue nearly two years ago. The private company does not reveal figures. Creditors agreed to write off 60 per cent of the $11.4 million they were owed nearly two years ago, allowing Origin to continue flying after its code-share agreement with Qantas ended.
"We are making steady progress," Mr Inglis said.
Much of the rebuilding in the past year has focused on developing the freight business, including the recently negotiated use of a Boeing 767 freighter which provides an overnight services between Auckland and Christchurch.
The freight business, which includes the marketing rights to the cargo space on Qantas' domestic Boeing 737s, now accounts for nearly half of the airline's revenue. Origin has a partnership arrangement with DHL Worldwide Express.
Origin would make cautious growth steps, Mr Inglis said.
"We remain realistic about the challenges we face in the current aviation industry climate, particularly where our main competitor Air New Zealand is state-owned and, in fact, would not even be flying without Government intervention at the expense of the ever-suffering taxpayer.
"Nevertheless, we're confident of our position and growth opportunities."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freight boosts Origin's business
11 April 2006
By VANESSA PHILLIPS
Growth in its freight service has strengthened business for Nelson airline Origin Pacific, which plans to upgrade to larger aircraft.
Executive chairman Robert Inglis said the airline's freight service had grown to the extent where revenue from it was approaching that from Origin's passenger business.
Since 2004, when Origin creditors agreed to write off 60 percent of the $11.4 million they were owed, the airline has been fighting its way back.
Mr Inglis blamed the financial woes on the flow-on effect of Air New Zealand being bailed out of trouble by the Government. He said Origin had been forced to look at other ways to expand its business.
"We've had to work hard to restructure our business and alter the network we operated, and focus on new areas of revenue."
Freight was one area that was proving profitable, while the airline's charter business had also been a steady revenue earner, he said.
The charter business would be further enhanced when the company introduced more 30-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft, he said.
Origin already operates three of the aircraft. Mr Inglis said it was reintroducing two more that had not been in service since the lease on them ran out a year ago. One was arriving in Nelson today.
Mr Inglis said Origin was not increasing its fleet but was likely to eventually replace all six of its 18-seater Jetstreams with the larger 30-seat model, to standardise its fleet and ensure it could cater for anticipated passenger growth.
Origin is introducing a new customer loyalty programme on Monday. Mr Inglis said he believed this would help to attract more passengers.
The rewards include passengers receiving one free flight for every 12 one-way flights or six return flights.
Mr Inglis said competing with state-owned Air New Zealand was anything but a level "flying" field, but he was confident Origin would continue to strengthen its status as a significant regional airline.