Pionair Aus and NZ

[shumekc]

Hi,

Can any one shed some light on this operator?

Such as are they the one owner in both countries?
Are the looking for pilots at moment?
Are they good to work for?
Who to contact if interested in employment?

Any help would be appreciated, the website doesn't provide too much info

Cheers

[tasdevil.f27]

Whats happening with Pionair of late, are they still flying? I hear / seen that they need to carry cash now to pay for fuel with at least 1 fuel company, things not to good with them atm? I miss seeing the old girls.

[Darwinism]

I see one of their Convairs on the ramp at MEL being turned around most weeknights.

[Tight deadlines]

That's interesting. I thought they were only doing a SYD-MEL-SYD run on 4 nights a week.

Have heard about the cash crunch! They apprently put the operation into Vlountary Administration last week. Airservices seriously out of pocket!!!!!!!!!!!

[tasdevil.f27]

Well that's interesting, once the fuel company's wont fill an airline up you know something isn't right. Seen so many times in the last year that a fuel company stops filling them & soon after they go bust.

[Tight deadlines]

Any idea who they are flying for? I was told that Toll paid for the fuel for its runs so if they are having to pay for fuel that means they may be flying for someone else also.

I'd agree re the progression of a fuel cut. I guess airservices HAVE to provide cover despite the fact that they are hanging out for some cash.

My experience also says that Voluntary Admin is often the slippery slope dwon to the end....

[Tight deadlines]

@ shumekc

Can confirm that the NZ and Aust. operation are the same people. Not sure what they are up to at the mo except that they seem to be struggling with the old cash flow side of life.

[Tight deadlines]

What makes you say they are good On Guard?
Meant to add. I believe they have sub contrcated the NZ ops out to Air Chathams

[Tight deadlines]

pretty bad at remebering passwords so read a lot but often fluff the access when wanting to comment. :ugh:

[Engineer_aus]

Well they just flogged off 2 580's to Canada!

[privateer01]

Pax or Freight Birds?

Anyone have an update?

[Tight deadlines]

PAX so far as I know. Apparently to be converted to water bombers.

[ZK-SRA]

Are these guys in financial trouble ? have been hearing a few rumours ?

[Tight deadlines]

Hi ZK-SRA, I'd say they are in deep doodoo! The Australian company is definately in Voluntary Administration and the debts are apparently massive for the siae of operation. Apart from crediters I hear Super Ann payments are way behind. Poor staff I say!

[Dunnza]

What routes were they doing in Australia?

[j3pipercub]

I don't reckon you could pick up their work Dunnza, not even in 4 caravans.

j3

[tasdevil.f27]

Shame, they had a good bunch of pilots here in OZ, seemed to get shafted a lot though.

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

Sad day for all concerned.

It was always going to be tough when Toll moved there freight back onto AAE.

[bizzybody]

any idea how much they owe?

[Dunnza]

I don't reckon you could pick up their work Dunnza, not even in 4 caravans.

Nah, no thanks

[Tight deadlines]

Hi bizzybody, have a mate who works for one of the suppliers and he say it is big for a small operation. Believe Airservices are owed 6 figures. There should be a liquidators report out soon.

[privateer01]

Well thats sad news....

Other than the 2 birds to Canada...

Any idea whats happening with the rest of thier fleet?

[Tight deadlines]

All depends on the outcome of the volutary admin thing. Imagine Toll must be a tad concerned. It must place a big question mark behind their contract.

[glekichi]

Wasn't Toll's cutting of their routes the cause of the situation?

[metrocommander]

I have a mate who works for them says that ground and air crew are top guys, its the management team who have no idea.

[tasdevil.f27]

How often do we hear that about airlines, especially as they go bust!

[Pin37]

Is there any of their aircraft still flying or are they sitting on the ground.
Infact, what aircraft do they still have, flying or non flying. Does anyone think they will survive?:sad:

[Tight deadlines]

Believe they still have 2 x CV580's in cargo config and a CV580 PAX which is said to have been robbed of major components. Would love to see what the administrators report says about their chances of survival.

$1 to a few knobs of goat *** they're gone by mid next year.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Well, someone is trying some forward planning....

FLIGHT WILL RETRACE HISTORY

From the 'Travel' Section, page 11, of 'The West Australian', Perth, Sat 12.12.09......

"-'Far Horizons' will make two of the world's most unusual holiday flights. The first is a 20-night package flying in a private prop-jet airliner retracing the route of the original QANTAS flight from Australia to London in 1934.

The second is 21 nights in the same airliner back to Sydney through a fascinating diversity of off-beat European and Asian cities. Carrying just 22 passengers, the Convair CV-580 will fly for just four hours a day with overnight stays at the best-possible hotels. (sic)

The Sydney to London flight departing on August 30, 2011 will call at 17 centres in 10 different countries.
The Sydney flight departing London on September 20, 2011 will visit 16 centres in 12 countries."
Details: www.farhorizons.com.au"

Story accompanied by a nice photo of the CV-580 in White/blue livery featuring 'Pionair' and a blue Southern Cross on tail, 'VH' rego....

Note - This post is NOT an 'ad'. for the travel co., only a news item from a public source re the topic airline.:}:}

So there ya go.............:ok::ok:

[Tight deadlines]

I saw that article about a month back. The 1st flighting was with one of the Pionair freighters! It was later corrected to show a PAX plane.

Here's the problem. They have sold 2 of the 3 PAX birds and the last one is said to have been robbed of all the important stuff like compressors, turbines, gerabox, props etc. It's a doable to put back together BUT at a cost. Remember they are under Voluntary Admin so it's tight as a seal's 'you know what'!

Let's see what happens....:confused::rolleyes:

[bizzybody]

7 big ones is a lot of money to owe.

Would be hard to get approval for a doco unless someone had really deep pockets

[Tight deadlines]

all gone quiet... :hmm:

any news out there on Pionair. Heard that the voluntary admin thing is now over and they are still trading - just. recon there will be a few pissed off creditors out there.

[tasdevil.f27]

Well they are back in the air, PDX been in Tassie doing training since saturday.

[Arnold E]

Would seem Pionair are back up and running. How good is that?:ok:

[Bobby Dazzler]

Apart from the Xmas break the aircraft have been operating Toll Freight YSBK-YMML-YSBK each night and freight charters as they come up.

[Flying tigers]

They were in Launny a couple of weeks ago conducting some training for their pilots, seemed to be a great bunch of guys flying good old birds. I hope that a company like this keeps on going.

Cheers,

[Arnold E]

"I hope that a company like this keeps on going."

From what I hear that does not seem likley:sad:

[privateer01]

Do you have some specifics Arnold?

Or was that a general....good guys never get ahead.. type statement?

[privateer01]

Bump for a response...

[Arnold E]

Heard a rumour that one of there remaining aircraft is headed overseas and I dont mean across the "dutch":sad:

[Tight deadlines]

What's news in this camp. Word around the traps said that they were heavily financed by South Canterbury and FACE. With these fin boys in the pooh this could put Pionair in a tight spot! :ouch:

[Skystar320]

They are doing freight runs out of CNS to POM, I wonder what the loads are like?

[Nulli Secundus]

Advert on SEEK for Falcon 50 captains & loadmasters.
Maybe a return to better days?

[Bobby Dazzler]

Two Freight Convairs avail 24/7 and still meeting their Toll Freight obligations every weeknight with a dispatch rate that the ATR42 and B737 would envy!

[Tight deadlines]

anyone know where they are up to as regards the DOCA? understand some of the staff are STILL waiting for their super and arrears wages and it's almost gone a year now. Lost cause??:rolleyes:

Also wonder where they are at with regard to South Canterbury Finance now in recievership. Being under a DOCA they have to be part of the TOXIC loan book. Are the receivers going to foreclose????? :(

[privateer01]

Interesting Question.

I kinda doubt it.

[Ultralights]

i have noticed a few Pionair jobs advertised around the place, so, obviously they are still around, is there any more new info in regard to them?

[wishiwasupthere]

http://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/576962-pionair-operate-virgin-cargo-bae146-s.html