Merged: Origin Pacific ceases flying

[flap35]

Origin Pacific regrets to advise that its scheduled passenger service operation has been suspended.



Arrangements have been made for passengers with forward bookings on Origin Pacific to travel on Air New Zealand.

Passengers are advised to see Air New Zealand Check-in staff at their airport of departure or call 0800 737 000.



Origin Pacific’s airfreight operation continues and airfreight customers that have any questions or concerns should contact Origin Pacific’s airfreight manager.



We regret that Origin Pacific has had to terminate the jobs of all passenger service staff and as a result we are unable to take phone calls or provide other assistance.



Media releases as they become available, will be posted immediately to this website.



Again, our sincere apologies

[Hanz Blix]

Its a damn shame heard just before half 9 pm. hopefully you all get jobs soon

Good luck to all:{

[deadhead]

God bless the workers and shareholders, the only time when their interests coincide... and at the risk of raising the ire of that moron who really hates it when people cut and paste news stories...


Origin Pacific suspends operations

9.00pm Thursday August 10, 2006


Nelson-based regional airline Origin Pacific has suspended passenger operations following a meeting between airline staff and management tonight.

The airline made the decision because of major financial troubles.

Origin Pacific managing director Robert Inglis tonight told the meeting in Nelson that the hoped-for capital injection had not been concluded in time to avoid suspending the passenger service.

Mr Inglis said he was making the announcement with enormous regret, particularly for the 260 staff, full and part-time, who work for Origin Pacific.

A separate freight carrying business will continue.

"I am truly sorry that some of our customers will have their travel plans disrupted by our announcement and regret that this could not have been avoided", Mr Inglis said at the meeting.

Mr Inglis said arrangements had been made with Air New Zealand to carry Origin Pacific passengers left stranded by tonight’s announcement. It was suggested Origin Pacific passengers booked on flights in coming days contact Air New Zealand for assistance.

However, in a separate statement released tonight Air New Zealand denied an agreement had been made.

"Origin Pacific's advice is premature as Origin is yet to agree arrangements with Air New Zealand for carriage of its customers", the statement said.

"Air New Zealand’s current terms of trade with Origin are payment in advance. Once receiving confirmation of continuation of this arrangement, Air New Zealand will be in a position to reaccommodate Origin’s customers on our services."

In the statement Air New Zealand’s Chief Financial Officer Rob McDonald said Air New Zealand would encourage Origin's passenger staff who are faced with unemployment, but are keen to continue their aviation career, to contact the airline, although would not make any guarantees of employment.

- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF

[singleseater]

Sorry to hear the news. Having been there some 5 yrs ago, can feel for those involved.
Find it disgusting that ANZ can winge so hard about so called unfair practices by other international airlines, particularly on the tasman and EK. Then can use its size to sustain fares at a below cost level, so driving the small man out.
When ANZ found itself in the same position, it ran off to the taxpayer and was bailed out, there is little justice.
The NZ travelling public now find themselves faced with a virtual monopoly on the regional routes, stand by for the prices rises (Of course justified by $77 a barrel) and cuts in service.
Good luck to those affected, there is life after the event.

[slamer.]

Yeah.... thats why Air NZ is stopping SIN services..........IF you work for EK, your a bit cheeky talking about predatory practices in this part of the world.................. :*

Never the less, condolence's to those out of work.

[vbrules]

Although it will feel dire at the moment, I hope OP pilots will see this as an opportunity. Job options are increasing now especially if you are prepared to travel. Anyone with previous jet time should consider the Gulf; Emirates, Etihad, Qatar and Gulfair are hiring plus other low cost operators (mainly 320). There are many jobs available in the Uk for those able to work there; Easyjet and Ryanair the easiest to get in to even with turbo prop time.
Any Ansett NZ guys needing assistance you have many options in EK; PM me I can give you contact details if needed.

[stoidiuoy]

Single seat you show a distinct lack of knowledge with comments like that.
Reality

OP's fares were on average 30% lower than NZ fares
There will be no price rises or service cuts.For people to blame anyone but Inglis in this instance is a moron.
He was given every chance, a previous bailout wrote off millions in debt and yet he still continued to run it into the ground.
The issues were never the problem of a competitor nor the troops on the ground it was from the top where the problem was and because of one person 260 are without jobs, hundreds of passengers will be disrupted and creditors will once again be the losers.
He has strung it out to the last possible moment, leaving it too late and in too much debt. He should have stood aside long ago and let someone who knew what they were doing take over and try to salvage what the could. Hopefully a fair number of staff will get other jobs soon with an employer who knows how to run a business.

[pakeha-boy]

youidiots....so you must have been the "fly on the wall" when this was all going down????interesting that you know so much about this sagarso,and throwing a few spears will hopefully make it all better.......offering your expertise in this field would have obviously saved the whole company???

I think youll find it goes a little deeper than your "THEORY"...and that managenent,(plural)...(more than one)will surley have lead to the demise of its ability to stay liquid,and that the combination of the current economics has played a huge part.

I,m with vbrules,condolences to all involved,and I offer any help that I can give for those that ask,all you have to do is PM me and Ill find out any info you require.

The "blame game" gets boring to read....sad news indeed....


For those of you that may qualify,go to the "Rest of the World" PPRune,there is a North America forum.....read the" (another)aussie thinking of moving"....there is a post by "kenny" and he gives a very good,accurate,overview of some of the regionals here in the states....may be worth the read

[ZK-NSN]

Idiot, Your a pole-smoker.

Sorry to all you guys at Origin. I spent 5 years at Origin, from when there was 4 j31's up to the arrival (and departure) of the ATR's. While it was'nt the easiest place to work at times the people couldnt have been better. The thought of all those good, hard working people with families to support out on the street makes me feel pretty empty. Hope there is bigger and better things on the horizon for you all. good luck

NSN

[Pete Conrad]

Does anybody truly beleive that Air New Zealand are out of financial trouble?

Pakeha Boy...your well spring comments are getting very tiresome. Enjoy your "OE", but stop telling other pilots how to suck eggs.

[pakeha-boy]

petey....below me!

[Split Flap]

Woe is me I’m so poor done by....
Man I am so sick of Inglis blaming everybody else for his problems, has he forgotten that Air NZ brought his company off him years back for many millions of dollars?
I'm sure the shareholders of Air NZ would want the company that they have invested in to be competitive with Origin, I’m quite sure that if Air NZ had gone into bankruptcy in 2001 then Inglis would have shown no quarter with Air NZ’s stranded passengers. Full price please sir…
I feel sorry for the staff that showed loyalty to this company, I hope that they find work with other companies soon.
As for the axis of evil that was suggested were ‘management’, I hope the fleas of one thousand camels infest your underpants. I have never worked for such horrible people in all my life.
The aviation game is a harsh one and one in which Inglis knows the rules and the penalties. Air NZ is finding difficulties on lots of its routes, capacity dumping on the Tasman, and competitors that seem to have their own oil well to fill their aircraft from, everybody’s got problems… To blame Air NZ for Origins woes seems a little pointless, if it really was all their fault I’m sure Inglis will take them to court and win, good luck.

[MOR]

I have to agree that this is an Inglis screw-up from start to finish. He has a planet-sized ego that precludes him listening to anyone who might know more than he does... one of the reasons that so many promising senior managers have come and gone over the years. Also the reason, I understand, that Pero left - Inglis wouldn't allow him any meaningful input at board level, nor was he allowed to fulfil his marketing role. I wonder if he lost his money... guess so.

It is bad enough that he has now made so many people unemployed, but worse still, he continues to blame Air NZ for his woes. After all the money he was given by creditors, plus the investment from others, he should have been able to continue for some time, if the business was even close to being viable.

As has been said elsewhere - too much investment in uneccessary buildings, the wrong aircraft, poor management throughout.

The only reason to mention the above is that it makes me very angry that so many hard workers have now lost their jobs. Not too bad for the ground staff, but the flight crews will not find other work very easily.

[AnzacCHC]

MOR and Split Flap...well said. Staff lives get thrown into turmoil not just because the 600 lb gorilla known as Air NZ makes life difficult (that's called competition), but as a result of possible ego driven mistakes (c'mon, who amongst this forum has not made that sort of mistake) and the savage airline industry environment.

Some of the issues you can legislate for, some you can't. The rules can, and do, get skewed in favour of one or a number of parties. Who was it said ..."first rule...there are no rules"? Must have been talking about the airline industry. If you want to go up against any gorilla, expect a smack or three along the way, and don't moan about it.

As an ex-OP and Air NZ (frequent) traveller, the latter gets my hard earned dollar more often (and now exclusively), as a result of a more reliable service in the first instance. Four of the last five OP flights that I have booked in the last five weeks have either been re-scheduled or cancelled.

Example..."Sorry ANZAC, that 07.00 flight you had booked has been cancelled and we have you on another service at 10.00". Sorry OP, I need to be on site at 09.30.

Example 2..."Sorry ANZAC, that 11.45 flight to CHC has been cancelled, you can choose between the 10.30 flight, or the 16.30 flight". OK, I'll take the 10.30 flight...which departed at 11.50.

Example 3..."Boarding will be at 19.00" OK, but it's now 19.45 and there's still no aircraft at the gate.

Example 4..."sorry, we do not have any flights direct to CHC ex-WLG". Oh, that's OK, send me through Nelson then, why not, it's only time and money.

Whoops, that's a passenger talking, and in the end, passengers will play a large part in determining whether or not what you have will allow you to survive, or not.

[myturn]

Excellent post ANZAC - not that most on this forum want to deal with the truth. In the end its all about the passenger and what they need. Reality is most dont need to sit around airports waisting time and to many this offsets paying the higher price to get there on time. The Gorilla at the end of the day provides a good service.

[CT7]

I hate to cut & paste too but it's faster.......

Statement From Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe

Air New Zealand has been in discussions with Origin Pacific from time-to-time in recent weeks on several proposals the regional carrier has put to us to try to assist it to address recent financial difficulties.

Air New Zealand has been unable to accept those proposals for a range of reasons, including our belief that without Commerce Commission authorisation they would have been anti-competitive and unlawful, or they were not in the best interests of Origin’s customers.

There was never any arrangement agreed between Origin and Air New Zealand. Origin founder Robert Inglis media statement earlier today claiming Air New Zealand has “gone back on discussions” is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and yet again pass the buck for the predicament of his business.

The quoted statement from Air New Zealand executive Norm Thompson was rejecting a proposal that would have seen Origin pocket some of its customers’ money while Air New Zealand provided the services.

In our view the actions of Mr Inglis, who has been vocally supported by Nelson MP Nick Smith, have not been in the best interests of Origin Pacific’s customers.

Air New Zealand yesterday sought via a media release to reassure Origin’s customers that we would carry them if we could come to a satisfactory arrangement with the regional carrier.

We understand from Origin that it has collected around $1.5 million from 14,000 customers who have not yet travelled on the tickets they have purchased.

Air New Zealand has been trying to establish from Origin what has happened to those funds and why it will not transfer them to us so that we can carry the passengers it has abandoned in such a reckless and cavalier fashion.

I am deeply concerned that Origin chose to put a statement on its website at 8pm yesterday advising its customers arrangements had been made for their carriage with Air New Zealand with the full knowledge this was false and misleading.

Mr Inglis contacted Air New Zealand less than half an hour after the statement had been published on Origin’s website asking how we could help his customers.

Then on Radio New Zealand this morning Mr Inglis again highlighted the fact that he had misled his customers when he made the following statement:

“Yesterday afternoon Air New Zealand issued a press statement saying that they would carry Origin passengers dependent on the deal that could be arranged and we attempted to negotiate with Air New Zealand last night and that has not been successful at this stage.”

The actions of Mr Inglis have been reckless and we are at a loss to understand why a supposedly solvent company has not confirmed to its customers their position on funds allegedly held in trust. That would at least enable them to make informed decisions on other arrangements.

Mr Inglis comments today that Origin will “do its best to honour” its passengers’ fares and that “this may take some time” are cause for concern.

Nor will Mr Inglis clarify whether Origin is in a position to pay its customers’ funds to us so that we can fulfil the travel obligations Origin committed to.

In our discussions with Mr Inglis today, we have been left with the clear impression that he expects Air New Zealand to carry his customers at a significant discount so that his firm can pocket some of the customers’ money.

Nevertheless, Air New Zealand remains committed to supporting the nation’s travellers and the reputation of New Zealand aviation and has made a series of arrangements to assist Origin’s customers with special fares. We have also addressed compassionate circumstances where necessary but remain appalled at Origin’s disregard for both their obligations to their customers and the availability of the funds they have paid.



I understand the other Airlines are banding together to sort out some jobs. Well done.

[AnzacCHC]

Anyone want to volunteer to hold the box while Mr. Inglis clambers down off his high horse? Of course, the gorilla (aka Air NZ) could be seen as having an axe to grind...but there are some very good points made in the statement.
As for Mr. Smith (or is that Dr. Smith?), refreshing to see a politician becoming so interested/concerned/available for comment at such an early stage in proceedings...or is that just a bandwagon I see before me?
Chances are, the good Dr. would not know the commercial machinations of the airline industry if they deposited a bite mark on his butt.
Cynic? Yep, that will do for the moment.

[RevMan2]

OK, lets assume that Air NZ is not guilty of predatory pricing or other illegal activities and that Origin Pacific went down the tube due to a combination of bad management and unavoidable externalities (QF's cancellation of their code-share agreement, leaving QO with significant debt commitments based on an assumed business case.) Can happen. It's called capitalism and it works pretty well most of the time.
The scenario as from now?
NZ won't put their prices up and will still make chunks of money. And no-one will really notice.
How?
NZ currently has a priceband structure of $86/$110/$170 NSN-WLG one-way.
Assuming that the market is not overly price-sensitive (and why should it be? Look at the options - via Picton and Interisland...?), expect the availability of $86 seats to drop dramatically.
Why?
Because NZ was
a) either cross-subsidising its non-trunk (competitive) services on the assumption that QO was circling the drain or
b) working at acceptable margins
both with decent loadfactors.
QO's demise takes 192 seats out of the Monday WLG-NSN market, reducing the total offering by about a third. (Check the maths, I've made some assumptions on configurations, but I think I'm pretty close - QO with 6 J41 ops @ 32 seats, NZ with 6 SF3 @ 33 and 4 DH3 @ 48)
Significantly greater demand for NZ's services, NZ closes the cheaper buckets, trickle-feeds more capacity and keeps things on simmer.
(I think someone at NZ's actually asleep at the switch - they haven't done this yet..)

[stoidiuoy]

The big question is......Where has all the the passengers money gone from th bookings????
This is supposed to be set aside until travel has been completed. If this money was there I am sure the creditors would have handed it over to NZ so they could happily carry the out of pocket passengers.
This sounds to me that it may be another KIWI, you will all remember that thieving Wilson that ripped everyone off.....
Yes he was a spin doctor as well, it was not his fault, it was Air NZ's.
It is all to convenient for these types to pass the blame rather than admitting they cocked up.
If RI was any kind of man he would have put his hand up when the 32's got repo'ed and said "I am in the ****". But know lets keep trading so I can blow any money I may have left so the staff and creditors can get even less.
What an complete ass he is.

[Raw Data]

Funny, isn't it. So many are quick to assume that Air NZ is the villain in this, but reading the statement above from Mr Fyfe, it would appear that the reverse is true.

As he says, payment for tickets issued for future travel is supposed to be held in a trust account, and that money is theoretically untouchable until travel is completed. I imagine the CAA will be interested in that issue.

It all sounds pretty slimy to me, but then this is Inglis we are talking about, so nobody should be surprised.

[ZK-NSN]

"that money is theoretically untouchable"

Everything works in theory dude.

Hope thier going to use the cash from the "profitable" freight operation to sort out the passengers and staff left out of pocket. I remember last time it all went bad some staff had been eyeing up what the could sneak out the door in place of there holiday pay. Computers unplugged and ready to go.

[RevMan2]

(I think someone at NZ's actually asleep at the switch - they haven't done this yet..)

OK, only half asleep.

The priceband just moved to $97/$261......
Increased marginal revenue of between $11 and $91 per seat in those buckets. Not bad!

[iceblock]

Ok, I have been out of the loop for a while - but here a a couple of genuine questions:

1. After the bail out in 2004 why was the company not more accountable to the shareholders with regard to profitability?

2. Now, prior to ceasing operations, more cash injections were requested to keep the company afloat. Why was this so sudden and the request made too late to save the company? Why was this lack of profitabilty not obvious to shareholders much earlier?

3. I saw in the Dominion Post today that Mike Pero was offering to buy the freight operation. It mentioned he had a 25% stake in the company. Why get burnt again and again? Surely he would have abandoned the ship long ago at the first sign of trouble? Or is he attempting to buy into the only profitable area of the business to recoup losses?

So many questions and so little bandwidth...from an outsider I can't see any logic in how it has all unfolded with 20/20 hindsight of course!!

[MOR]

You have to understand how Inglis operates. He is a sufficiently charismatic figure to be able to get away with his autocratic style of management, convince investors, and so forth. However, he isn't a particular clever businessman. This is well known, and his record confirms it. He managed to persuade everybody that he had the ability to turn it around, and the creditors badly wanted to believe that he could. The investors were way too excited about getting involved in an airline to see the risks - particularly Pero, a failed Mt Cook F/O who just wanted to get back into aviation, and saw investing in Origin as possibly his only chance to do so. He probably expected to get some flying out of it too.

I don't know about the Lower Hutt investors, but Pero very quickly discovered the true nature of a business relationship with Inglis, and was out almost before he was in. He claimed that the business was in safe hands and on the right track, which it clearly wasn't - in other words, there was almost certainly a boardroom bust-up which Inglis won.

Pero is not a very clever businessman either. He may have made a lot of money out of his mortgage business, but that sort of success doesn't make you a clever businessman per se, it just means you got lucky. Some of the investments he has made since moving out of the mortgage business have been very odd.

Time will tell, as it always does, but I doubt that Inglis can get out of this one intact, and I am sure that Pero is just trying to protect his investment.

What NZ badly needs now, is someone to start a new third-level carrier with a sensible business plan and some experienced, innovative and skilled managers. There is definitely room for another carrier, but it has to be done properly from the start - no fancy buildings, correct choice of aircraft, a proper low-cost model, and enough money to get past the first two years.

Any takers?

[glekichi]

MOR, you may well be surprised....

[RevMan2]

OK MOR, you do the flying, I'll do the RM side of stuff, we just need someone with the dosh...
Are you in? ;-)

[JetA_OK]

MOR - I suggest you have a crack at running an airline (or indeed a mortgage lending business) yourself before passing judegment on someone's skills as a businessman. There is nothing "lucky" about making money from Air Nelson or from a mortgage lending business. Running an airline is an extremely difficult proposition at best let alone an independent regional airline competing against a government owned entity.

I don't doubt RI made some significant errors that contributed to the situation OP is now in. I don't know the guy but it would seem his personal style isn't conducive to team building. However everyone should balance this against the realities of operating an airline in the current economic environment (read fuel prices). To paraphrase Geoff Dixon who may not be very popular on these pages but does know a bit about airlines; an airline is a business where it is possible to operate in a monopoly, do everything right and still lose money. Anyone who doesn't understand that shouldn't be in the business.

[MOR]

Revman2

I'm in!!! :D :D :D

JetA_OK

I have run several businesses (I still run two), and I have had a few business dealings with Mr Pero. I ave also been involved in airline management at a senior level (not in NZ).

In the case of Inglis, his first two attempts (Mot Air and Air Nelson) were dismal failures. Once Air NZ had taken Air Nelson from him, it was virtually impossible to fail, as he only had to manage a feeder that had (at the time) virtually no competition. He had Air NZ's money and backing, what more did he need? Even a mediocre manager could have done that job.

When he started Origin, he had a lot of money behind him, but instead of using it to get the airline profitable, he wasted it building unnecessary buildings and buying/leasing the wrong aircraft. It was a downward spiral from there, his only skill was in convincing creditors and investors to part with their dosh. In a business sense, Origin was never run properly. One example would be fuel hedging - the way Euro airlines buy their fuel to avoid price spikes - I doubt that Inglis even knows what it is. Origin don't seem to have ever done it.

In the case of Pero, he was lucky enough to tap into a market just as it was taking off. He was clever in the way he exploited it, but if you examine his recent business decisions, they are very poor. A successful businessman is one who can take any company, regardless of the industry it is in, and make it profitable. Starting one successful business doesn't prove much at all, many people with marginal skills have done it - you just have to be at the right place at the right time.

In my own businesses, I often have to deal with companies run by their founder, that have been successful despite their principal being a shocking businessman. It often is luck rather than good management - that saying exists for a reason!

[stillalbatross]

MOR - I suggest you have a crack at running an airline (or indeed a mortgage lending business) yourself before passing judegment on someone's skills as a businessman. There is nothing "lucky" about making money from Air Nelson or from a mortgage lending business. Running an airline is an extremely difficult proposition at best let alone an independent regional airline competing against a government owned entity.
I don't doubt RI made some significant errors that contributed to the situation OP is now in. I don't know the guy but it would seem his personal style isn't conducive to team building. However everyone should balance this against the realities of operating an airline in the current economic environment (read fuel prices). To paraphrase Geoff Dixon who may not be very popular on these pages but does know a bit about airlines; an airline is a business where it is possible to operate in a monopoly, do everything right and still lose money. Anyone who doesn't understand that shouldn't be in the business.

JETA you must have been sniffing a little too much of the stuff. Yes there is much lucky about running Air Nelson. Were you around when Air NZ pulled the plug on the Friendships. Can you think of any business at all that has ceased an operation and left a bunch of customers hanging in the breeze with NO competition. Air Nsn walked into the regional market with no competition and a travelling public used to sh*t service from the national carrier. You couldn't go from any regional port to a main centre on a 1 sector morning flight for petesakes, you had to climb on board the Friendship and go Rotarua - Whakatane - Tauranga and arrive in Auckland at midday. Ridiculous.

You would have to be a complete moron to lose money with a monopoly, you only have to price your product to cover expenses and make some money. Which is what Air NSN did and they operated as part of the Air New Zealand monopoly very successfully. Inglis got a lucky break, back then pre 1990's Air NZ was a state run inefficient entity and no-one at the time involved with it was interested in setting up a proper domestic operation with appropriate aircraft, so when the Friendships left it was handed to Inglis on a plate. The rest is history.

[slamer.]

[quote=MOR] He had Air NZ's money and backing, what more did he need? Even a mediocre manager could have done that job.

I agree.... and would take that idea a little further.

Without wanting to sound too melodramatic.....I believe, RI dreamed he was destined to be a major player in the NZ airline scene with or without Air NZ 's help. In other words, he never really recognized the "hand that fed him" was Air NZ's.... without them he was destined for mediocrity!

However, one must have some business skills to survive (especially) in aviation. RI's... "skill"... was rubbing shoulders with the right people, hence his close association in the 80's/90's with the Brierly pirates..... sever that connection/influence and it all slowly came unravelled. Combine a healthy ego and enough knowledge of "piloting" to be liability and you end up with Origin Pacific story..... which I'm sure isnt finished yet.

Interestingly, the Brierly code of business ethics was well learnt and applied along the way.

[pukeko]

"that money is theoretically untouchable"
Everything works in theory dude.
Hope thier going to use the cash from the "profitable" freight operation to sort out the passengers and staff left out of pocket. I remember last time it all went bad some staff had been eyeing up what the could sneak out the door in place of there holiday pay. Computers unplugged and ready to go.
Just a question (I admit I know nothing about business law) -
If the remaining freight operation is sold (e.g. to Pero), are those debts still payable by the new owner?

[Hanz Blix]

Yip! stink for them:eek:

[Skystar320]

Hey Guys,

Could someone tell us what aircraft they had in the fleet and the schedule they operated before collapse?

[outboundjetsetter]

maybe a misleading title there guys, but i couldnt seem to reply the the last thread on origin...
Im no expert, but at the recent time they did / have got J41'S, J31'S and had on leased a metro to chats- which i believe is also heading home now!:hmm:
im wondering whats going own behind the scenes there...
Anyway in true pprune tradition why dont we try to help out our fellow conrades ( hope u can take exception woomera) and tell these guy's who are operating these type(s) around the world+ any possible leads to work we can stear them towards..
This is not the first time this has happened in nz .. and whether or not we could see it comming, its a damm shame to see families etc effected!.I sure as hell wouldnt want to be in their shoes.
my 2 cents.

already outbound.

I've merged your original thread into the Origin one.

Woomera (Eastern States)

[Skystar320]

Skippers advertised for Dash 8-100/300 Pilots in Perth

[Fly_GAL]

Heya Skystar320

Origin operated BaE Jetstream 31/32 and Jetstream 41 aircrafts.

The Airline NELSON based. Origin Pacific Airways operated to the following ports in 2006: Nelson, Christchurch, Blenhiem, Wellington, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Napier, Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland. A few years back they operated in/out of Invercargill, Dunedin and also did Rotorua and Queenstown (QF Code Share operating with ATR-72 aircrafts) - I hope this helps :-)

P.S I wish all QO staff the best of luck with the future and hope they all move on to bigger and better opportunities. Robert definately had an awesome bunch of dedicated, loyal, professional, fun and hardworking employees and they all will be sadly missed!!!!!!

[Skystar320]

Thanks i came well to lait into this conversation to understand fuly what had happened

[Hanz Blix]

Heard rumor that Mt Cook is coming to the rescue and is running interviews for ex OPAL pilots.

Can't confirm or deny rumor

[ZK-DAN]

Looks like the freight has gone to AirNZ using belly space. Bad news for the Air Chat's Metro boys and girls.

[haughtney1]

Big airlines have now got what they want..........no effective regional competition, RIP the customer

[ZK-DAN]

I see JSM heading back to NS from AR, whats the deal there? Anyone???

[troppo]

Air Nelson ups capacity after Origin Pacific demise

11.05am Thursday August 24, 2006


Air New Zealand Link carrier, Air Nelson, is providing extra capacity in and out of Nelson over the upcoming school holidays, following the collapse of Origin Pacific passenger services.

Air Nelson general manager John Hambleton said today a total of 4600 extra seats would be available between September 18 and October 15 on the Nelson-Wellington, Nelson-Christchurch and Nelson-Auckland routes.

He said Air Nelson was also looking ahead to more permanent capacity increases by mid-November, for which it was employing more staff and recruiting pilots and flight attendants, some formerly employed by Origin Pacific.

- NZPA

[palau]

I suggest if your an origin pilot with an atpl try both vincent and aiwork as both have employed direct entry captains previously. Airwork has hired at least 4 direct entry captains in the last 2 years. Good luck.

[rhyllie]

Re: ZK-JSM Pre-delivery maintenance.

[troppo]

29/08/2006
NZPA
Failed regional airline Origin Pacific has asked its creditors to allow more time for possible buyers to look at the company's books.

Nelson-based Origin closed its passenger services this month after time ran out to find more capital to keep flying.

Origin managing director Robert Inglis yesterday told creditors that during the past two weeks Origin's freight operations had continued successfully, while the company determined the full extent of its creditor liabilities.

A number of interested parties had formally entered into due diligence of both the freight and passenger businesses, Mr Inglis said.

"This process is ongoing and we anticipate that our options will be better clarified in another two weeks when the parties may have made firm offers," he said.

"We are working hard to deliver an optimised outcome for all of our creditors in line with our preferred strategy.

"We continue to believe that should a receiver or liquidator be appointed that this may not be in your best interests.

"We have appreciated your support over the last two weeks in not taking any action that could jeopardise the restructuring and sale opportunities and would like to thank you again for this.

"We ask that this support is extended for another two weeks when we will be in a better position to evaluate our best options."

A further progress announcement would be made on September 11.

[slamer.]

Clashing styles led to airline exit, says Pero

Monday August 28, 2006
By Andrea Fox

Mortgage broking millionaire Mike Pero has lifted the lid on his quick exit last year from the board of recently failed regional airline Origin Pacific, saying he had bitter clashes with founder Robert Inglis who refused to change its loss-making direction.
Pero said he had lost more than $3 million investing in the Nelson-based commuter airline and freight forwarder, which was forced to ground passenger services two weeks ago for want of a financial rescuer.
An Origin spokesman said the airline would issue an update for creditors today and was continuing to work on "a range of possible outcomes".
The private company's freight business is for sale. Its total debt is unknown.
Pero, an accomplished marketer who made his fortune building and selling Mike Pero Mortgages, said he first invested in Origin "substantially" in 2004 when it was in financial trouble.
"Certain representations were made to me that indicated [as a director] I would have some degree of influence and control, and that there were opportunities to change the airline.
"I and other investors, creditors and suppliers all believed there was a plan that was viable."
Pero said he wanted to revamp Origin's marketing, brand building and "change attitudes".
"They had good staff but none of them were utilised."
But he said very soon he was having "strong differences" with Inglis who was chairman, chief executive and 50 per cent shareholder.
"Within six months it was evident we needed to put more money in. Every single projection was wrong, I don't think a budget was ever achieved," Pero said.
"Robert is known for his single-mindedness. It was his way or no way. We had so many arguments around the table, I just couldn't handle it any more."
Pero quit last year, just short of 12 months after saying he would take a leading role in developing the struggling airline.
So why did he explain his exit at the time by saying he was confident Origin was again a "viable" business?
"I was so furious with what had happened, but if I'd gone to the media and said: 'I'm outta here because I don't want any part of it, it's all turning to crap', it would have nailed the coffin down," he said.
"I would have achieved nothing. I'd have just destroyed jobs and opportunities for everyone."
Origin employed around 260 staff. Pero believes around 20 have been retained to run the freight forwarding business, which leases Qantas aircraft.
Pero has said he wants to buy the freight business. The rider is that he wants to be chief executive.
But he claims to have had no contact with the company for more than 14 days and that his interest is dwindling because customers are disappearing to Air New Zealand and other competitors.
Publicly listed Freightways, a major freight customer, also wants to buy the freight business, and Origin has agreed to let it conduct due diligence.
Freightways chief executive Dean Bracewell could not be contacted for comment.
Origin declined to comment on Friday about progress.
Inglis this month told the Business Herald that passenger services were simply "suspended" and that the company needed a rescue package of around $7 million to compete profitably against state-owned Air New Zealand, which he has accused of predatory practices.
Yesterday an Origin spokesman said the company was "surprised and disappointed" at Pero's comments.
"The company has confidentiality agreements which allow him to undertake due diligence in the company's freight operations. Origin Pacific intends to continue to respect those confidentiality arrangements."
Pero claimed Origin's creditors, including those from its near bankruptcy in 2004, would fill "several pages" and that "tens of millions" of dollars had been lost.
Asked what had happened to Origin's leased fleet of 30-seater regional aircraft, an Origin spokesman said the aircraft "remained in New Zealand". He would not elaborate.
Pero dismissed Inglis' claim that Origin had nosedived because of Air New Zealand predatory practices.
Rising fuel prices, competitive pressures and the management style had all contributed, he said.

[Split Flap]

Ah the truth comes out...

What we all suspected at the time...

Pero burnt his coin and left cause he got sick of Bob's boardroom tantys.

Perhaps the silver fox is running out of "Enthusiasts" keen to burn another pile of notes, after the glory of running thier "own" airline.:yuk:

Crook? Not much.

[bazbogan]

@$%# Inglis....just another white collar criminal!

[troppo]

Business
Origin Pacific to resume charter flights

6.00pm Thursday August 31, 2006


Regional airline Origin Pacific said today it would resume an air charter service, after halting passenger flights earlier this month when it ran out of capital.

Origin founder and managing director Robert Inglis said in a letter to passengers that it would recommence charter flights, in addition to its freight service, as the division had operated "significantly profitably".

Nelson-based Origin closed its passenger services on August 10 after time ran out to find more than $5 million in capital to keep flying.

It had been struggling in its competition on the regional routes against Air New Zealand since losing its partnership with Australian airline Qantas in 2004.

Origin was looking at opportunities for its fleet but was not considering returning to its previous level of regional scheduled flights "whilst our State-owned competitor continues to enjoy such an unfettered dominant position..." Mr Inglis said.

"The airline is considering a range of initiatives for recapitalisation and options for future operations."

A number of interested parties have formally entered into due diligence of both the freight and passenger businesses.

The freight business largely consists of the rights to the cargo space on Qantas domestic Boeing 737 services and a nightly Qantas 767 freighter between Auckland and Christchurch.

- NZPA

[Bombay]

Oh dear. Could this be "Origin II - The Rebirth", with RI starting down the same 1997 road?

First, charter flights, using FOs that get paid an hourly rate instead of a salary. Then, small, insignificant scheduled passenger services, relying heavily on the goodwill of the "enthusiast" pilots to get the job done.

I could go on, but you know the story.

Unbelievable that RI actually thinks he can build a business again. Surely he has no mates left anywhere in the country, let alone investors who are pliable enough to be bought by his charisma.

He's a fool. I would have thought he would run away with the assets (most of the OPAL assets are owned by companies other than Origin Pacific Airways Limited, all of which are owned by RI) and hide under the rest of his money. He still has plenty.

Someone asked a question several posts back about whether the any new owner of the freight operation would inherit the debt of the passenger operation. This is unlikely. RI will have the freight company as a separate entity. For sure, there will be freight company debt which the new owner will inherit but the passenger operation debt would not be part of this.

Unfortunately, this means that the pilots and other staff who are owed wages, holiday pay etc, are owed this money by the passenger operation company which, we all know, has no money left in the coffers.

Have a look at the NZ Companies website. Enter Robert Inglis as a Director and see what he's involved in. Interesting reading.

Good luck to all staff who are out of work. I genuinely feel sick for you all. That RI has a lot to answer for.

Bombay

[bazbogan]

A good post Bombay!

I am one of those pilots to be affected by RI contiued ignorance but fortunately have gained employment with another operator, pity I can't say the same about my former colleagues - I feel for them.
RI owes me approx $12K and others ranging through to $30K...anychance of seeing the money? I don't think so, it is a lesson well learn't!:mad:
Any potential pilot wishing to go to a rebuilt OPAL, I would strongly urge massive CAUTION!!!:=

Baz

[Speeds high]

And speaking of scum bags that will go on to make millions while still owing the little guy, anybody see that w@#$ker on TV 1 last night, apparently he's now worth 20 million, shame he and his mate SM don't see fit to pay back all those that lost out when there airline when bust.

[haughtney1]

Who is PW trying to fleece this time? as for that Mosen character........conman, pure and simple:yuk:

[troppo]

Speeds High...same as Haughtney...I'm overseas as well and would like to know more about the item on TV1...
Incidently I got every cent plus more :confused: owed to me about 3-6 months after CityJet fell over...

[Sqwark2000]

Paul Webb, director/founder of Transglobal/Citijet, is now a property developer worth approx. $20M now and is a member of the NZ version of Dragons Den, a tv show that shows entrepenuers (sp?) pitching their invention/products to 5 wealthy potential investors in the hope getting cash investment in return for a percentage of the business. The show is a series shown weekly. To date I haven't seen him invest in anything.

I also read in the NZ Herald a week or two ago that he owns a property in Fiji that at present, NZ Foriegn Minister, Winston Peters is currently residing or recently resided at whilst recovering from a mystery illness contracted whilst in Malaysia.

Very galling for those who were affected by Citijets collapse and the pre-paid endorsement money ( up to $NZ22,000) paid by some who got little more than a set of manuals for the EMB-110, to see this charactor being portrayed on national TV as a "kiwi done good" businessman.

[Bombay]

bazbogan,

Congratulations on gaining further employment.

There is an irony here that I'm sure is clear to most people.

Being "liberated" from Origin, although under umpleasent circumstances, is probably a good thing. Given that Origin's pilot training was generally excellent, there should be no problem, from a technical point of view, in those redundant pilots gaining further employment. You'll all go on to better jobs with better pay and infinately better conditions.

I know that the pay and conditions in the industry have been slowly eroding away for some years now but trust me, just about any airline job is better than Origin, from a long-term pay and conditions point of view.

I "liberated" myself from Origin some years ago and while I really enjoyed my time there, leaving was the best thing I could have done.

Again, good luck to you all.

Bombay

[SURFS UP]

Pssssst. Enyone else hear of a Richard Brandson rumour???????????